Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/797655
P enn State hosted roughly 30 prospects on Feb. 25 for its 7rst big junior day of the 2018 cycle. Compared to previous years, the overall number of prospects was down slightly, although it should be noted that the poor weather throughout the region played a part in multiple players postponing their visits. The turnout was also a8ected by the speed with which Penn State's class has been coming together. The Nittany Lions are already about halfway 7nished, so James Franklin and his sta8 have no choice but to be selective. But even with those factors taken into consideration, Penn State still hosted 13 players who ei- ther had a scholarship o8er going into the event or le9 University Park with an o8er that day. The most coveted of those attendees was Rivals100 defensive lineman Tyler Friday, who plays at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. The top-ranked player in his home state, Friday has been showing in- terest in the Nittany Lions since the fall, but he was unable to visit with the coach- ing sta8 until February. His father, Samuel Friday, said that they were very impressed. "We were basically looking for certain things about the school, in relation to the education he would be receiving," Samuel Friday said. "Going into the visit, we al- ready knew what Penn State stood for, but when we got there, everything just went so smooth. Everyone was very wel- coming. They were all very kind and re- spectful. "The whole visit was organized very well. Every question that we wanted to learn more about or ask about was basi- cally answered before we got the oppor- tunity to ask the question. It was a great visit. I would feel very comfortable allow- ing my son to attend their university." By the end of February, Friday had earned 16 scholarship o8ers. Among the top programs that have been pursuing him are Alabama, Michigan, North Car- olina, Ohio State, Tennessee, UCLA, Vir- ginia Tech and Wisconsin. The Wolverines and Buckeyes are expected to be Penn State's top competitors. Two of the sta8's top o8ensive line tar- gets also made the trip: four-star prospects Nana Asiedu of Sta8ord, Va., and Christian Armstrong of Warner Robins, Ga. Asiedu had previously visited in May 2016, making this his second trip to Penn State. "I saw all the academic areas, the foot- ball facilities and the stadium," he said. "I talked to coaches about how I would 7t in at Penn State and how I would be taken care of. What really stood out to me was how the coaches really love their players and cared for them like they were their own kids. Also, they really stress gradu- ating their players." Asiedu added that Penn State is "at the top of my list," but he won't be an easy pull, as Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia Tech have all made him a priority this spring. Armstrong, a tackle, received a scholar- ship o8er from the sta8 just a week before his trip. "I really like PSU a9er this visit," he said. "The visit itself was di8erent than Prospects attend February junior day Top defensive and offensive linemen are among players on hand for event | 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. KEY PROSPECT Friday, a rising senior defen- sive lineman from Don Bosco Prep, is the top- ranked prospect in New Jersey. He and his fa- ther attended Penn State's junior day. Photo cour- tesy of Ri- vals.com