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P enn State welcomed its top-ranked Class of 2017 recruit, defensive back Lamont Wade, for an o4cial visit on the weekend of Nov. 5-7. A 1ve-star prospect from Clairton, Pa., Wade has become a familiar face in the Lasch Building, as he's visited with Nit- tany Lion head coach James Franklin and his assistants more than a dozen times dating back to his sophomore season. However, his father, Carlton Wade, said his o4cial 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.," Carl- ton 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 a5ernoon 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 fantastic. Throughout the whole visit, they really 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 committed players, notably o3ensive lineman Michael Miranda. His father said that was important for Lamont. "He spent a lot of time with Mike Mi- randa during the game," Wade said. "He's seen the atmosphere [inside Beaver Sta- dium] many times, so spending time with the other players and the other guys who were on their o4cial visits, that was big for him. He got to talk to a few of them throughout the game." A5er the game, he spent some time with freshman running back Miles Sanders. Like Wade, Sanders hails from the Pittsburgh area. "I know [Lamont] enjoyed that a lot," Carlton Wade said. "It was a good experience for him to get around everyone on the team." 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 sta3. "Franklin was going to host us at his house Sunday, but his basement 2ooded recently, so we ate brunch with him and all of the sta3 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 Lions unfurl red carpet for Wade Five-star Clairton defensive back enjoys latest visit to University Park | F O O T B A L L R E C R U I T I N G For daily and breaking news updates on Penn State football recruiting, visit bwi.rivals.com. CONSIDERING PSU Wade is expected to make his decision in December. In addition to Penn State, he's looking at Pitt, Ten- nessee, West Virginia and UCLA. Photo cour- tesy of Rivals.com

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