Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/717693
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Ohio, Syracuse, Toledo, Wake Forest, Yale QUOTABLE Hippenhammer on Penn State's willingness to extend an o5er be- fore other Big Ten programs: "I really liked them a lot because they really believed in me and went a7er me hard. When they o5ered me, it was big leap of faith for them because I didn't have a lot of Big Ten of- fers." ANALYSIS Penn State started showing interest in Hippenhammer in the spring, but it wasn't until June 13, when he participated in the Bowling Green satellite camp, that he became a serious scholarship con- tender. A7er talking it over with his sta5, Franklin extended an o5er to Hippen- hammer on June 17. O5ers from Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana followed within the next 10 days. Hippenhammer went on to visit Iowa and Michigan State, but a7er he came to Penn State for the sta5's Lasch Bash barbecue in July, the Nittany Lions became the team to beat. He made his commitment o6cial on Aug. 13. Hippenhammer is expected to begin his career as a slot receiver for the Nittany Lions. He could also play baseball at Penn State, as multiple schools consider him a scholarship-worthy shortstop. DESMOND HOLMES POS OL HT 6-4 WT 320 RATING ★★★ HOME Springfield, Pa. SCHOOL Cardinal O'Hara ADDITIONAL OFFERS Bowling Green, Colorado State, Maryland, Old Domin- ion, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, UCF, West Virginia QUOTABLE Holmes on what he liked about the Nittany Lions: "Just the whole program and the tradition they have – I really like that about Penn State. It's known for being a great school and a great football program. Also, Coach Franklin and his competitiveness. He's really committed to making sure that Penn State gets back on top. He's always stressing that you need to compete in everything you do. I like that. I like that mindset." ANALYSIS When he announced for Penn State in early August, Holmes became the fourth and 4nal o5ensive lineman in the Nittany Lions' Class of 2017. He originally emerged on the sta5's radar screen at the end of last season, but he didn't become a serious option for a scholarship until the Friday Night Whiteout camp on July 15. A7er showing Matt Limegrover his ath- leticism, the sta5 took two weeks to think everything over before o6cially o5ering Holmes a scholarship on July 28. He went on to visit Maryland, his other favorite, on July 31, but then re- turned to Penn State the following EARLY DECISION Sullivan- Brown ended his recruit- ment when he announced in late July, shortly after at- tending the Lasch Bash, that he was headed to Penn State. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com