Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703041
media, but those close to him say he will likely stay close to home. While that could work to Penn State's advantage, many believe that Pitt is the favorite. Penn State has also extended an o7er to three-star prospect Romello Martin of Brooklyn, N.Y. During the past year, it's been di8cult for Martin and his family to take visits on their own dime – Rutgers is the only school he's been able to see – but he has spoken highly of the sta7, so he's another player to keep an eye on. Corey Bolds of Paramus, N.J.; Elijah Conli7e of Hampton, Va.; and James Hudson of Toledo, Ohio, are three other prospects who have Penn State in their top 10. Bolds and Conli7e are three-star prospects, while Hudson has received four stars. The most important thing to remem- ber here is that there probably won't be any answers for a while. This position will likely have fans on pins and needles until the end of the cycle. LINEBACKER PLAYERS RETURNING IN 2017 4 PROJECTED SIGNEES 3 or 4 OUTLOOK This is arguably Penn State's most important position for the Class of 2017. The Lions already hold one com- mitment from three-star prospect Dylan Rivers of Stephens City, Va., and we ex- pect the sta7 to sign at least two more linebackers in February. Following Avery Roberts' decision in April to commit to Nebraska, we're focused on three prospects, the most notable of whom are Jordan Anthony, who is originally from Baltimore but now attends IMG Academy in Florida, and Nathan Proctor of Indian Head, Md. Both are four-star players. Since moving to Florida, it's been di8- cult for Anthony to regularly visit PSU, but he has made it to campus whenever he gets an opportunity, most recently for the Blue-White Game in April. As for Proctor, he doesn't speak with the media much, but his trainer, Roman Morris, fa- ther of former PSU cornerback Stephon Morris, has informed us on multiple oc- casions that the Lions are in the mix. Penn State also extended an o7er to three-star prospect Brailyn Franklin of Haymarket, Va., following an uno8cial visit on May 21. Franklin had made it clear that Penn State's o7er was the one he was most eagerly awaiting, and his praise for the sta7 was heightened by that visit. He was expected to attend the Lasch Bash on July 16, and there was speculation that he might commit that weekend. DEFENSIVE BACK PLAYERS RETURNING IN 2017 7 PROJECTED SIGNEES 3 OUTLOOK The Lions are in good shape here, but we expect them to take a safety and a second cornerback, with three- star prospect D.J. Brown of Fairburn, Ga., having already committed. At cornerback, it's clear that 6ve-star prospect Lamont Wade of Clairton, Pa., is the sta7's top priority. Since the sum- mer of 2014, he has taken 10 uno8cial visits to Penn State. Even more notable is the fact that he's been on campus on 6ve separate occasions since the sta7's junior day in February. Wade was also expected to be at Penn State's Lasch Bash barbe- cue. We still expect him to use his o8cial visits this fall before making a decision, but there's reason for Penn State to feel good about its chances. At safety, the sta7 appears to be fo- cused on two prospects: Scotty Nelson of Detroit, and Derrek Pitts of Charleston, W.Va. Nelson is believed to be leaning to- ward Michigan State, but the three-star prospect recently announced that Penn State is in his top 6ve. He was planning to visit July 16 for the Lasch Bash barbecue. Pitts, a four-star prospect, is focused on 10 schools, one of which is Penn State. We expect the Nittany Lions to make his top 6ve when he trims his list again later this summer, but he is expected to use all 6ve of his o8cial visits before making a decision in December. ■