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they need to work on, and we'll continue to do that [as the team begins] really put- ting in our defense and doing little things like that. But as far as the skill, they're just trying to get better, trying to be the best individuals they can be to help the team." As part of that process, Penn State ap- pears to have smoothed the physical tran- sition to the college game, a hurdle that slowed the progress of prior PSU classes. Even forward Joe Hampton, listed at 6- foot-8, 291 pounds and coming off a se- rious knee injury that prevented him from playing his senior season at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, has shown that he could potentially play this fall. "I think he's shed a few more pounds [from 291]," Chambers said. "He's got a ways to go, but when the season comes around, then you figure out if Joe's ready to go or not, and I think he will be, as long as he stays on the path that he's on right now." And as for the rest of the group? Cham- bers believes they are ready to go. "They are gifted and blessed athletes, and they're very skilled," he said. "I've been really impressed with what our new strength coach Greg [Miskinis] has done with them and how they have responded to his coaching. They came in prepared and ready to go. There was no slippage, there was no waiting. "Usually, there's a little bit of a wait for freshmen. They're very coachable, and right now they're all ears and they want to please and they want to please the veter- ans and they want to get on the court. So they're very smart. They're gifted." ■ D wayne Cohill had an opportunity to get in a little run with the Penn State men's basketball team during his unofficial visit on Sept. 3. On campus for his third or fourth visit, this time to hang out with the coaching staff and players while taking in the Nittany Lions' football opener against Kent State at Beaver Stadium, the Rivals.com four-star guard said he liked what he saw. Considered by some to be the top-rated recruit in Ohio's Class of 2018, Cohill played on a team loaded with young prospects and a developing cast of veteran tal- ent. He said the abundance of promising freshmen "speaks volumes" about the program's continuing development. "They get up and down, they talk, they communicate. They're great," Cohill said. "I see from last year to this year, there's a lot of development. I think they'll have a great year this year for sure. "I think they can make a deep run... or at least get their nose in there and get started and start building up something. The freshmen, the four or five freshmen that they have – Tony [Carr], Nazeer [Bostick], Lamar [Stevens] and Mike [Watkins] – they play phenomenally." Describing his own game as up- tempo, Cohill said he believes he would fit in well with the style that Nittany Lion head coach Patrick Chambers is developing at Penn State. And, having seen the school's support through rainy weather at a football game last year, as well as the turnout at Beaver Stadium for this year's opener, Cohill said he has been im- pressed with everything so far. The coaching staff "loves their play- ers, they love the school itself, the fans, everything about Penn State. And just the players, I love the players. I got to play with them this weekend, and just seeing how competitive they are and how much they really love being out there, it keeps bringing me back," Cohill said. Listed at 6-foot-3, the Parma Heights, Ohio, resident is also being strongly recruited by Ohio State, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Texas, Butler and Indiana, along with Penn State. He has either visited or is planning to visit Ohio State, Notre Dame and Van- derbilt, and the Holy Name prospect said he has received plenty of interest, but he's not rushing into a decision. That decision, whenever it happens, is almost certain to include the Nittany Lions as contenders, as he's developed strong relationships, has enjoyed his time in University Park and likes what the school has to offer. "Right now, I love Penn State and I know that they're high up on the list. I don't have a true order, but right now I'm just letting things play out, just to see how it goes," he said. "Then maybe if I feel like in a few weeks or a few months that I'm really ready to do something, then I'll do it. But right now, I'm just letting it all play out and enjoying it." As for the factors Cohill is weighing, he said he wants to find a school that "gives me the chills thinking about myself being here for one year, two years, three years, four years, whatever it is." He added that before he announces his decision, he wants to be absolutely certain he's making the right choice. "My intentions are, once I commit somewhere, not to try and decommit or anything because I'm all about loyalty," he said. "I want to make sure I find the place I know I'm going to truly love, and once I find out it's home and it feels like home, then that's where I'll be." Does Penn State fit that description? Cohill didn't hesitate when asked. "Oh, yes," he said, "of course." – N.B. Four-star prospect Cohill has Lions high on his list

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