Blue White Illustrated

An unforgettable visit clarifies Fries' choice I t didn't take long for future Nittany Lion o/ensive lineman Will Fries to re- alize that he had the opportunity to be something special on the gridiron. Throughout elementary school, Fries was one of the taller kids in his class. Be- cause of his size, he gravitated toward basketball at .rst, and he continued to play the sport until his senior year of high school. But while in the sixth grade, prod- ded by his friends, Fries decided to give football a chance. He thought initially that it would be a good way to stay in shape for basketball, but a0er his .rst two seasons, it became obvious to Fries and his family that he was ahead of nearly everyone else his age. "I just had a bunch of friends who were playing. They were bugging me about playing with them, so I decided to give it a try and I instantly fell in love with it," Fries said. "I was always one of the bigger guys, so I played o/ensive line and de- fensive line, but I didn't really take it se- riously until eighth grade. Once I started weight training, I knew that I had a chance to maybe play in college, but I still wasn't really dreaming about Division I or any- thing like that." Fries became a starter during his soph- omore season at Cranford (N.J.) High, and his play caught the eye of not only his coach, but college coaches throughout the region. One of the .rst schools to show interest was Penn State. Because of his age, he wasn't able to communicate with them personally, but just knowing that recruiters from a school of that caliber were stopping by to meet with his coach, Erik Rosenmeier, inspired Fries to push himself in both the weight room and the classroom. "I was already working hard, but I'd be lying if I said that didn't push me even harder," Fries said. Just a few months later, Fries and his father traveled to University Park so that he could work out with the staff at a summer camp. He had never been to Penn State before and his recruitment CLICK HERE to see video of Fries in action. standing and tapping his chest. Then he would point to the sky in acknowledge- ment. He hopes to further honor him during his college career. "In Beaver Stadium? Absolutely," Shelton said. "That's where it'll matter most to me." In addition to being one of Shelton's biggest fans, his friend was also a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions, owing to a family con- nection to Erie, Pa. So when Shelton picked up his PSU offer in late January, he considered it a blessing. That was the moment "when everything got crazy for me," he said, recalling a 10-day period in which he decommitted from the Illini, welcomed head coach James Franklin and position coach Sean Spencer into his home for a visit, officially visited Uni- versity Park, committed to the Lions and then signed on the dotted line to make it official. "It was really emotional for me," Shelton said. "I had to .ght back tears because I just felt so happy and sad at the same time. I was happy because I was honoring my friend in playing for his favorite team, but I was sad because he can't be in the stadium to watch me play." ■ | Penn State Athletics THE FRIES FILE STATS Played both o4ense and defense for a Cranford High team that won the Mid-State 38 Conference cham- pionship in 2014 and the North 2 Group 3 state title last fall... Helped Cranford's o4ense total nearly 5,000 yards and average 41.3 points per game in 2015... Was a four- year letterman as a thrower (shot put and discus) on the track and field team HONORS Named a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 17 o4ensive guard in the nation and the No. 9 overall prospect in New Jersey... Chosen to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl... Received second-team All-State honors... Played in the Chesapeake Bowl... Academic Honor Roll student all four years at Cranford

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