Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/260491
to Farmer's decision. Farmer noted that the Penn State coach's presentation to prospective recruits during his visit to University Park was what closed the deal. QUOTABLE Farmer: "What really did it for me is when Coach Franklin gave his pres- entation to all of the recruits. He never had me or any of us so amped in our lives. I think all of us just wanted to stand up right then and play. I was so amped. That's what really did it for me. It was ridiculous, just his energy and everything. I was sold." PHIL'S TAKE Farmer could supply imme- diate help at the strong safety position. He's one of the most athletic members of Penn State's class and might also be one of its top students. He has the perfect size to play strong safety. Not only will Farmer not redshirt, he will very likely compete for a starting position in the sec- ondary. MIKE GESICKI TE, 6-5, 245 Manahawkin, N.J. Southern Regional HS WHAT HE DID Gesicki ;nished the season with 33 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns as Southern Regional went 5-5. WHAT HE WON Gesicki is considered the 10th-best tight end prospect in Rivals.com's 2014 evaluations and the ;?h-best prospect in New Jersey. WHERE HE VISITED The Nittany Lions' most formidable competitor in the battle to sign Gesicki was their neighbor to the west, Ohio State. Although Urban Meyer made a late push following Bill O'Brien's decision to leave for the NFL, the four- star prospect remained committed to Penn State. WHO OPENED THE DOOR O'Brien took the lead in Penn State's pursuit of a player who would turn out to be one of the top prospects in the Class of 2014. Former linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden and former tight ends coach John Strollo both played supporting roles, but O'Brien spear- headed the Nittany Lions' e=orts. QUOTABLE Gesicki: "Penn State just felt like home. Penn State just felt like the best place in my heart. I was telling myself, 'You know, I'm a Jersey boy, I always will be, but Pennsylvania is a great place to call my second home these next few years.'" PHIL'S TAKE Rated by multiple recruiting services as the top tight end prospect in the Northeast, Gesicki has excellent speed and size. Despite the fact that Penn State has amassed what may be the best group of tight ends in the Big Ten, he looks to have a solid chance of playing as a fresh- man. He'll create big matchup problems for opponents. CHRIS GODWIN WR, 6-2, 205 Middletown, Del. Middletown HS WHAT HE DID As a junior, Godwin caught 42 passes for 834 yards and 12 touchdowns and helped lead Middletown to a state championship. He garnered a lot of at- tention prior to his senior season a?er a series of eye-opening performances on the summer camp circuit. A?er excelling at the IMG seven-on-seven camp in Flori- da, Godwin rose to 150th place on the Ri- vals250 list. Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Friedman called it "a real solid showing." WHAT HE WON In 2011, Godwin was the only sophomore to receive ;rst-team All-State honors in Delaware. He followed up that performance by winning the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award as a junior, and he later received four stars from Rivals.com. Rivals also named God- win the top prospect in Delaware in this year's senior class, the No. 21 receiver in the country and the No. 146 overall prospect nationally. WHERE HE VISITED Godwin took an o>cial visit to Penn State in early December, seven months a?er giving the Nittany Li- ons a verbal commitment. He also had o=ers from Boston College, California, Maryland, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rut- gers, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Vir- ginia Tech, among others. W H O O P E N E D T H E D O O R Former receivers coach Stan Hixon was in charge of God- win's recruitment. Godwin said he was disappointed to see Hixon depart, but he had also developed a rapport with James Franklin and receivers coach Josh Gattis, who were recruiting him for Vanderbilt before both le? Nashville in January to come to Penn State. QUOTABLE Godwin: "I just work on every- thing. I know that when I get to Penn State, the coaches there will really teach me the kind of stu= that will take me to the next level. Right now, I just want to have a solid background on all the basics that make someone a great receiver." PHIL'S TAKE Godwin bears a strong resem- blance to fellow recruit Saeed Blacknall. Both are lanky wideouts with good speed who use their physical ability to create matchup problems for opposing defensive backs. And like Blacknall, Godwin will have an excellent opportunity to contribute as a freshman this coming fall. GRANT HALEY CB, 5-10, 185 Atlanta The Lovett School W H AT H E D I D Haley led Lovett to the school's ;rst state championship in 43 years, as the Lions defeated Lamar County, 14-7, at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 14. In that game, Haley scored the winning touchdown on a 41-yard run in the third quarter. However, it was his defensive e=ort that really stood out. Playing de- fensive back, Haley was matched up against Georgia Tech recruits Lance and Lawrence Austin. Both fell short of 100 yards in that game. WHAT HE WON Haley was given a three-star ranking by Rivals.com. He's rated 51st na- tionally at cornerback and 51st overall in Georgia. WHERE HE VISITED Haley verbally committed to Vanderbilt in July. Once James Franklin made the move to Penn State, Haley began T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 1 4