Blue White Illustrated

R E C R U I T I N G Penn State adds three to Class of 2014 RYA N   S N Y D E R | BLUE WHITE ILLUSTRATED Penn State picked up three verbal commitments in the past week, the most recent of which came from linebacker Jason Cabinda on Oct. 22. The Flemington, N.J., native originally committed to Syracuse in July, but Penn State has continued to recruit him. Cabinda planned to take official visits to both Penn State and Syracuse in December and January. Then he planned to make a final decision before signing day in February. But while in attendance CABINDA for the Michigan game Oct. 12, the outside linebacker met with Bill O'Brien and multiple prospects who are currently committed to Penn State. They all made a strong impression. "It was a lot of fun getting to know all the Penn GESICKI State guys, Cabinda said. " "Troy Reeder, Antoine White and De'Andre Thompkins, plus a few other guys, they're all real cool. One of the things that I came away with after talking to Troy was their situation at linebacker. Troy is the only THOMAS linebacker commit [they had], and they only have like five on the team right now, so they really need linebackers. Plus, Troy is an inside guy, and I'm an outside guy, so that works out well. " A two-star prospect according to Rivals.com, Cabinda has been on Penn State's radar for months. He made a strong impression on PSU's staff during camp in June, and after watching film from the first half of his senior season, Penn State decided to offer at the end of September. O C T O B E R Three-star Mike Gesicki was the first of the three to commit to Penn State, a decision that came on Oct. 17. Recently, he has grown into arguably the most soughtafter tight end in the nation. The Manahawkin, N.J., native was also in attendance for the Michigan game, but unlike Cabinda, it was an official visit for Gesicki. His decision came down to PSU and Ohio State. A few days after his visit, he informed the media of his decision. "Penn State just felt like home, he said. " "Penn State just felt like the best place in my heart. " Quarterback Christian Hackenberg and tight end Adam Breneman hosted Gesicki during his visit. Spending the weekend with the two freshmen played a major part in his decision. O'Brien and his staff also picked up what was considered a "surprise" commitment when running back Johnathan Thomas from Danvers, Mass., chose the Nittany Lions on Oct. 20. Thomas originally made a verbal commitment to Maryland in May but was open to listening to other schools throughout the summer and fall. Penn State offered in September. Since the Nittany Lions were his favorite college football team growing up, he noted that it was a pretty easy decision to switch from the Terrapins to the Lions. "I've been talking to Penn State for months now," said Thomas, who attends O'Brien's alma mater . "I recently got the offer after week two of my season, when I rushed for 263 yards against Brockton. But we've been talking for a long time now. When I was offered, Coach O'Brien told my coach that he has to have me on his team, so that's something I'll never forget. "But I visited there this spring, [and I] really liked everything. I've been in touch with them ever since. " Thomas will miss the remainder of his senior season with a torn anterior crcuiate ligament. 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 9 PENN STATE RADIO NETWORK WAEB............. 790-AM....... Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton WVAM............ 1430-AM.......................................Altoona WRKY............. 104.9-FM............... Altoona/Hollidaysburg WILK.............. 103.1-FM.........................................Avoca WAYC..............1600-AM.......................................Bedford WAYC..............100.9-FM......................................Bedford WCPA............. 900-AM...................................... Clearfield WQYX.............93.1-FM..................................... Clearfield WZDB.............95.9-FM........................ DuBois/Sykesville WHGL.............102.9-FM................................ Elmira, N.Y. WPSE............. 1450-AM.............................................Erie WFRA............. 1450-AM...................................... Franklin WGET............. 1320-AM.................................. Gettysburg WJEJ.............. 1240-AM...Hagerstown, Md./Chambersburg, Pa. WHVR.............1280-AM......................................Hanover ESPN Radio....1400-AM...................................Harrisburg ESPN Radio....95.3-FM....................................Harrisburg WKZN............ 1300-AM..................................... Hazleton WLAK............. 103.5-FM................................Huntingdon WNTJ............. 1490-AM...................................Johnstown WLAP..............1490-AM....................................Lancaster WNPV.............1440-AM.....................................Lansdale WLBR.............1270-AM..................................... Lebanon WMRF............ 95.7-FM.................................... Lewistown WMGW...........1490-AM....................................Meadville WJST.............. 1280-AM.....................New Castle/Sharon WVNJ............. 1160-AM...........................New York Metro WBYB.............99.1-FM................................... Olean, N.Y. WNTP............. 990-AM..................................Philadelphia KQV............... 1410-AM................................... Pittsburgh WAVT..............101.9-FM....................................Pottsville WPPA............. 1360-AM.....................................Pottsville WRAW............ 1340-AM...................................... Reading WBZU.............910-AM.......................................Scranton WBYB.............103.9-FM........................Smethport/Kane WQWK............1450-AM.............................. State College WBUS............ 93.7-FM................................State College WKOK............ 1070-AM...................................... Sunbury WLLI.............. 990-AM...................................... Somerset WTIV.............. 1230-AM..................................... Titusville WHGL.............100.3-FM...............................Troy/Canton WTRN.............1340-AM.........................................Tyrone WTRN.............100.7-FM........................................ Tyrone WNBT.............104.5-FM...................................Wellsboro WNBQ............92.3-FM....................Wellsboro/Mansfield WILK.............. 980-AM..................................Wilkes-Barre WKSB.............102.7-FM.............................. Williamsport WSBA.............910-AM.............................................. York WJST.............. 1280-AM........................Youngstown, Ohio B LUE W HI T EON L I N E. COM

• Cover