Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/204633
RECRUITING 40 recruits visit Penn State Nittany Lions host highly regarded underclassmen RYA N S N Y D E R Penn State hosted a larger-than-expected recruiting crowd for its game vs. Illinois Saturday, as roughly 40 prospects made the trip to State College. Prospects from the Class of 2015 and '16 filled the majority of the visitor list, but one notable prospect from the Class of '14 was in attendance. That was linebacker Marques Townes from St. Joseph's in Metuchen, N.J. This is just his first season of varsity football, but Townes has grabbed the attention of multiple programs across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Penn State, Boston College and Rutgers. He's also an elite basketball player and holds multiple offers from mid-major programs. "I've always been more of a basketball guy, but Penn State would be hard to turn down if I did get a shot to play football there," Townes said. "I'd have to really think about it, but if I did get an offer from Penn State, I'd definitely consider playing football over basketball in college. " At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Townes is very athletic. He's still a raw talent, but the Penn State coaches have told him they believe that's a good thing. They tell him that he has none of the negative tendencies that often hold back incoming freshmen. Aside from Townes, the majority of the Class of 2014 prospects were potential run-on candidates. That left the Class of '15 and '16 prospects as the most scholarship-worthy talent in attendance. Linebacker Jamie Gordinier was the top junior in attendance. The Red Bank, N.J., native currently holds one offer from Pittsburgh, but Maryland, North Carolina, Northwestern, Rutgers, Stanford and Virginia are showing interest. Gordinier stands 6-4, 235 pounds, and most schools are in the process of determining whether he's better a fit at defensive end or linebacker. Scouts expect him to pick up multiple offers in the spring. Perhaps the two most talented players in attendance were only sophomores. n o V e m b e R | blue white illustRated Athletes Cameron Chambers and Cary Angeline have already emerged as two of the top prospects – in any class – throughout the Mid-Atantic region. Chambers, from Timber Creek in Sicklerville, N.J., holds nine verbal scholarship offers. Penn State is one of the few schools that haven't offered yet, but that is likely to change after the season. Angeline plays at Downingtown East High in Downington, Pa., and could end up being one of the top prospects in Pennsylvania in two years. The 6-6 wide receiver has made some incredible plays in only eight games this season. As he continues to grow, however, he will likely develop into a tight end at the college level. GAME GALLERY Photos by Bill Anderson TEAM CHEMISTRY Brad Bars (above) congratulates safety Ryan Keiser after his gameclinching interception. Bill Belton (right) finished the day with a careerhigh 201 rushing yards. 2 , 2 0 1 3 5 b l u e w h i t e o n l i n e . c o m