Blue White Illustrated

lantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman that he's still interested in Penn State despite the recent commitment of run- ning back Miles Sanders (No. 42). "That's not really a big problem," he told Friedman. "It's all about competi- tion. I think they use the three-running- back system anyway." NO. 14 LEVONTA TAYLOR CB // Virginia Beach, Va. // Ocean Lakes Taylor visited Penn State earlier this summer, and a contact close to the 4ve- star Virginia prospect tells BWI that he has "plenty of interest" in the Nittany Lions and reaches out to assistant coach Josh Gattis several times per week. Tay- lor hopes to visit University Park for a game this fall. NO. 15 RAHSHAUN SMITH DE // Baltimore, Md. // St. Frances A defensive end/linebacker hybrid, Smith has ties to a few members of the Nittany Lions' roster. He visited June 22, his 4rst trip to Penn State since Franklin was hired, and gave the school glowing reviews. But Clemson and Florida State hold an early edge. NO. 25 SHANE SIMMONS DE // Hyattsville, Md. // DeMatha Catholic Simmons became the second 2016 prospect to give Penn State a verbal commitment, choosing the Lions over Alabama, Florida State, Maryland and Ohio State on July 30. NO. 42 MILES SANDERS RB // Pittsburgh, Pa. // Woodland Hills Sanders gave Penn State its 4rst verbal commitment for the Class of 2016 when he announced his decision during an uno6cial visit July 19. He may take ad- ditional visits to other schools but said recently he's 100 percent committed to the Nittany Lions. NO. 54 NASEIR UPSHUR TE // Philadelphia // Imhotep Charter Upshur picked up his Penn State o5er in July. A versatile prospect who could also play defense in college, he visited PSU in March and has been in contact with the sta5 since then. Ari- zona State, Michigan, Michi- gan State, South Carolina, Ari- zona State and Temple are other schools on his short list. NO. 81 JOEJUAN WILLIAMS DB // Nashville, Tenn. // Father Ryan Williams was ecstatic when he received his Penn State o5er in July, saying it was one he had "been waiting on." He has had a relationship with the coaching sta5 since his freshman year and he at- tends the same high school and plays on the same team as the son of defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Penn State will no doubt look to get him on campus for a visit before one of the Southern schools that are eyeing him – Alabama, Auburn and Florida State head up the list – locks him up. NO. 85 JARRETT GUARANTANO QB // Oradell, N.J. // Bergen Catholic Guarantano picked up a Penn State offer after a stellar showing at camp July 19, but the Nittany Lions have plenty of competition. On Aug. 8, he named a top four of Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Guarantano visited all four of those schools this summer and will likely decide after his junior season. NO. 88 RON JOHNSON DE // Camden, N.J. // Camden Once Penn State was able to check out Johnson's grades from his junior year, assistant coaches Josh Gattis and Sean Spencer extended a scholarship Aug. 1. Johnson puts PSU in an early top three with Miami (Fla.) and South Carolina. "I could be on the other side of the ball as Shane Simmons, the [defensive end] who just committed," Johnson said. "That would be nice." NO. 92 JAUAN WILLIAMS OT // Washington, D.C. // Archbishop Carroll Williams' 4rst uno6cial visit to a col- lege program was to Penn State in June. Although he was attending camp, he spent most of his time chatting with of- fensive line coach Herb Hand and tour- Tim Owen COMMITMENT WATCH Simmons visited Penn State on June 22. Then after receiv- ing four-star status and being ranked the No. 25 overall prospect in the Class of 2016, he verbally committed on July 30.

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