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F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 Penn State signed 21 players on Feb. 1, assembling a class that ranks 12th in the country and third in the Big Ten accord- ing to Rivals.com. It's the most highly regarded class of James Franklin's three-year tenure in University Park, and it will have a big role in the Nittany Lions' future success. Here's a look at the players who make up that class: DAMION BARBERBarber has the po- tential to play either the strongside or weakside defensive end position at Penn State. He has an exceptional first step that gives him an explosive outside pass rush and he uses his hands well to shed blocks. Barber will most likely be red- shirted as a freshman, but I believe he has the potential to add 20 to 25 pounds and could be a three-year contributor at either defensive end position. He im- proved substantially between his junior and senior seasons. COREY BOLDS Bolds is rated by many recruiting analysts as the No. 2 defen- sive tackle prospect in New Jersey. He is physically capable of playing both the one- and three-technique positions in Penn State's base 4-3 defense. With both Curtis Cothran and Parker Cothren graduating aBer the 2017 sea- son, and with Antoine White and Brenon ThriB having opted to transfer, it became essential for Penn State to re- cruit two defensive tackles in the Class of 2017. Bolds has the frame to play at 300 pounds at the college level. ELLIS BROOKSBrooks might be Penn State's most important signing this year. With both Cabinda and Brandon Smith graduating aBer the 2017 season, the Nittany Lions needed to sign a pro- totypical inside linebacker. Brooks fits the bill. He has the toughness of a 235- pound ILB and the athletic skills of a 220-pound OLB. Reminiscent of former Penn State standout Brandon Short, Brooks appears fully capable of playing as a true freshman. D.J. BROWNBrown is a versatile defen- sive back who could see action at cor- nerback, nickel back and maybe even free safety. He's also a top student-ath- lete who had an offer from Harvard. He can play press man-to-man coverage, has excellent hand-eye coordination and breaks well on the football. He will most likely redshirt as a freshman, aBer which I expect him to begin his Penn State career at the field cornerback spot. JOURNEY BROWNBrown may be the Northeast's top sleeper in the Class of 2017. He could play cornerback or free safety but was recruited by Penn State exclusively as a running back. He was the PIAA Class AAA 100-meter champ in 2016 with a time of 10.62 seconds. He also reportedly has a 38-inch verti- cal leap, and that combination of size and speed (4.44 seconds in the 40) makes him a very intriguing prospect. In addition to his potential on offense, he could also be an excellent return man on kickoffs. He will probably be redshirted as a freshman but could end up being one of the bigger surprises in this class. TARIQ CASTRO-FIELDS Castro-Fields is rated by many as the top cornerback prospect in Maryland for the class of 2018. He has excellent size and the ability to play press man-to-man cov- erage. Reportedly possessing sub-4.5- second 40-yard speed, Castro-Fields will likely begin his college career at cornerback, but if he were to add 15 to 20 pounds, he could also play free safety. Because of his size and athletic ability, Castro-Fields will be able to match up well with tall receivers. He has an excellent chance to see action as a freshman in Penn State's 4-2-5 de- fensive scheme. SEAN CLIFFORDClifford was the first player to join Penn State's class, an- nouncing his commitment on July 13, 2015. He has excellent size and the arm to throw the 20- to 35-yard out pattern. His pocket awareness is excellent, and even though he's listed by most as a pro-style QB, I believe he has the mo- bility to succeed in an offense that prizes dual-threat potential. With three scholarship QBs already on campus, Clifford will be redshirted as a fresh- man. BRELIN FAISON-WALDENA January enrollee, Faison-Walden is likely to line up as an outside linebacker when Penn State opens spring practice in March. I expect him to practice primarily at the Sam OLB position, but he has enough speed (4.5 seconds in the 40) to play strong safety, too. He's listed at 200 pounds but appears capable of adding 20 to 25 pounds. Having enrolled early, Faison-Walden has an excellent chance to play as a freshman, particularly on the punt- and kickoff-coverage teams. He has a very physical style of play and performs well both in traffic and in space. He's a perfect fit for Penn State's 4-2-5 defensive scheme. BRAILYN FRANKLINFranklin is one of the most interesting players in Penn State's class. Although he didn't see much action at outside linebacker in high school, he has the physical poten- tial to play that spot very effectively in college. Franklin has an explosive first step and plays like a 230-pound line- backer. ABer playing a multitude of po- sitions at Battlefield, he will need to work on his technique at Penn State. But with 4.55-second 40-yard speed and a frame that should be able to han- dle 225 to 230 pounds, he has as much upside as anyone in this class. I expect Highly rated class will impact Nittany Lions for years to come PHIL'S CORNER

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