Blue White Illustrated

R Y A N   S N Y D E R | B L U E W H I T E I L L U S T R A T E D Penn State welcomed its top-ranked Class of 2017 recruit, defensive back La- mont Wade, for an official visit on the weekend of Nov. 5-7. A five-star prospect from Clairton, Pa., Wade has become a familiar face in the Lasch Building, as he's visited with Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin and his as- sistants more than a dozen times dating back to his sophomore season. However, his father, Carlton Wade, said his official visit was an experience like no other, as Penn State "rolled out the red carpet." "We got into town Saturday morning, probably around 9 a.m.," Carlton Wade said. "We met with them basically as soon as we got there. We actually went to the team hotel and ate breakfast with the team and the coaches. We just relaxed in our hotel room that aAernoon before heading over to the stadium a few hours before the game. When we got to the stadium, they fed us like kings and queens. It was fantas- tic. Throughout the whole visit, they re- ally took care of us." During the game, in which the Nittany Lions routed Iowa, 41-14, Wade spent a lot of time with some of Penn State's com- mitted players, notably offensive lineman Michael Miranda. Wade's father said that was an important part of the visit. "He's seen the atmosphere [inside Beaver Stadium] many times," Carlton Wade said, "so spending time with the other players and the other guys who were on their offi- cial visits, that was big for him. He got to talk to a few of them throughout the game." Wade and his family also spent all of Sunday in State College. The day started with a late-morning brunch and ended at a popular local restaurant, as he and his family had dinner with the coaching staff. "Franklin was going to host us at his house Sunday, but his basement flooded recently, so we ate brunch with him and all of the staff at the Lasch Building," said Wade's father. "That brunch was out of this world. We really appreciate every- thing they did to organize that. Almost everyone was there. They had all of the coaches and administration there. Lam- ont met with a few of the coaches then that aAernoon. He also met with some ac- ademic advisors, so it was a busy day." Wade added that Franklin made it clear how highly Penn State's coaching staff has prioritized his son's recruitment. "He pointed out everything they're doing and how they're progressing," Carlton Wade said. "I'll say this: Penn State fans have one heck of a coach. Even if Lamont does- n't end up there, I want to go back there for games down the road, because he's made a major impact on me and my family in the time we've gotten to know him. Their whole staff is incredible. They're just great people. I hope Penn State fans understand that." Wade's most recent visit is expected to have a major impact on his decision, which he's planning to reveal on Dec. 17. But an even bigger factor is likely to be Penn State's progress on the field. "It's definitely impacted things," Carlton Wade said. "Winning has a big impact on every recruit's decision; Lamont is no dif- ferent. Of course, we're looking for a school that offers great academics and can really prepare him for life, but at the same time, he wants to play in big games and re- ally enjoy his experience as a college foot- ball player." Wade is expected to take official visits to Pitt, UCLA and West Virginia, although he had yet to set a date for any of those three schools as of early November. Those visits will likely depend on his playoff schedule, as Clairton defeated Avella, 50-6, on Friday in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Wade is the nation's ninth-ranked over- all prospect. He's the No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania for the Class of 2017. Penn State unfurls red carpet for five-star DB Wade R E C R U I T I N G PENN STATE RADIO NETWORK WAEB............. 790-AM....... Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton WVAM............ 1430-AM....................................... Altoona WRKY............. 104.9-FM............... Altoona/Hollidaysburg WPGG............ 1450-AM......................... Atlantic City, N.J. WILK.............. 103.1-FM.........................................Avoca WLZS............. 106.1-FM........................... Beaver Springs WAYC............. 1600-AM.......................................Bedford WAYC............. 100.9-FM......................................Bedford WBYB............. 103.9-FM.....................................Bradford WBUT............. 1050-AM..........................................Butler WCPA............. 900-AM...................................... Clearfield WQYX............. 93.1-FM..................................... Clearfield WBYB............. 103.9-FM............................... Coudersport WZDB.............95.9-FM........................ DuBois/Sykesville WHGL............ 102.9-FM................................ Elmira, N.Y. WPSE............. 1450-AM.............................................Erie WFRA............. 1450-AM...................................... Franklin WGET............. 1320-AM.................................. Gettysburg WJEJ.............. 1240-AM.Hagerstown, Md./Chambersburg Sports Radio..96.5 FM.................................... Harrisburg Sports Radio..95.3-FM (HD)............................Harrisburg WKZN............ 1300-AM..................................... Hazleton WHUN............ 106.3-FM................................ Huntingdon WCCL............. 101.7-FM..................................Johnstown WBYB............. 103.9-FM.......................................... Kane WNPV.............1440-AM.....................................Lansdale WLBR............. 1270-AM..................................... Lebanon WJUN............ 92.5-FM....................... Lewistown/Mexico WMGW...........1490-AM....................................Meadville WJST.............. 1280-AM.....................New Castle/Sharon WVNJ............. 1160-AM.......................... New York Metro WNTP............. 990-AM..................................Philadelphia KQV............... 1410-AM................................... Pittsburgh WAVT..............101.9-FM.................................... Pottsville WPPA............. 1360-AM.....................................Pottsville WIOV..............1240 AM...................................... Reading WIOV..............98.5-FM....................................... Reading WBZU.............910-AM....................................... Scranton WBYB............. 103.9-FM................................. Smethport WQWK............1450-AM.............................. State College WBUS.............93.7-FM................................State College WZDD............ 101.3-FM....................Stratonville/Clarion WKOK............ 1070-AM...................................... Sunbury WCCL............. 101.7-FM................................... Somerset WTIV.............. 1230-AM..................................... Titusville WHGL.............100.3-FM............................... Troy/Canton WTRN.............1340-AM......................................... Tyrone WTRN.............100.7-FM........................................ Tyrone WNBT............. 104.5-FM...................................Wellsboro WNBQ............ 92.3-FM....................Wellsboro/Mansfield WILK.............. 980-AM................................. Wilkes-Barre WKSB.............102.7-FM.............................. Williamsport WSBA............. 910-AM.............................................. York WJST.............. 1280-AM........................Youngstown, Ohio N O V E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 14

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