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RECRUITING Four prospects take official visits RYA N   S N Y D E R Penn State hosted what may have been its largest contingent of recruits this season for its game Saturday against Nebraska. It's believed that 100 prospects made the trip to University Park. Unlike the past few games, the Nittany Lion coaching staff used the Nebraska game to host a handful of its top Class of 2014 targets, four of whom were making official visits. Four-star linebacker Melvin Keihn of the Gilman School in Baltimore may have been the most important prospect on campus. Because of the current depth situation at linebacker, Keihn will be at the top of Penn State's recruiting board these final two months. After narrowing his list to Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Virginia and Virginia Tech, the nation's 17th-ranked outside linebacker appears to be leaning toward the Hokies. The Nittany Lion staff will have roughly six weeks in which to sway him toward Penn State. He's expected to announce his decision Jan. 2 at the Under Armour AllAmerican Game. Defensive back Shawn Boone of Dwyer High in West Palm Beach, Fla., was another one of the top recruiting targets who made an official visit this weekend. The three-star prospect has also taken official visits to Arkansas, Maryland, Ole Miss and North Carolina State, making his trip to Penn State on Saturday his final official visit. He has not yet established a firm timetable for his decision, but it's expected to come in the next few weeks. Junior college offensive lineman Kareem Are of Fortt Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan., also took an official visit. He's believed to be leaning toward Florida State, as the Seminoles have been recruiting him since last spring, but South Carolina also appears to be in the mix. Both the Gamecocks and Nittany Lions have only recently made a push with Are, and it's possible that his relationship with the Florida State coaches will make it difficult for other schools to make serious inroads. n o V e m b e R | blue white illustRated The fourth official visitor was Tarow Barney, who, like Are, is a junior college prospect. Of the players Penn State is pursuing, the defensive tackle from Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss., may be the most likely to give Penn State a verbal commitment in the near future. After taking an official visit to Iowa State, Barney is believed to be leaning toward the Nittany Lions but is waiting to hear back from Alabama. The Crimson Tide are still deciding on whether to extend an offer, so once that decision is made, Barney is expected to commit to either Alabama or Penn State. GAME GALLERY  Photos by Steve Manuel EYES ON THE PRIZE Allen Robinson, top, finished with 106 yards on eight catches. C.J. Olaniyan, right, sacked QB Ron Kellogg, forcing a fumble that Olaniyan recovered on Nebraska's 8-yard line. 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 3 b l u e w h i t e o n l i n e . c o m

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