Blue White Illustrated

HARTMAN FROM PREVIOUS PAGE heart was telling me to go, so I didn't want to wait around any longer and decided to just commit to Penn State. I didn't rush the decision though. I took my time, and I know I made the right decision. When did Penn State really step up the interest? Was it just a few weeks ago? It was probably a little longer than a few weeks, probably about a month ago I'd say. I just started talking to some of their coaches about my inter- est in them, and vice versa, then the offer came and I felt it was the right thing for me to do. So it didn't take too long, but I was talking to them for probably about a month or so. Which coach recruited you? What were the conversations like in the beginning when you were still com- mitted to Maryland? Coach [Larry] Johnson reached out to me at first and was really respect- ful about me already being commit- ted. I told him, though, that I really liked Penn State and had a passion to play there, and from there he told me that Coach [Charles] London is actu- ally the guy who works my area, so then I started really talking to Coach London. I talked to him and then Coach [Mac] McWhorter a little bit when they figured out that they want- ed me on offense. Have you been in touch with any of the current verbally committed recruits? Checking in with the verbally committed members of Penn State's Class of 2013 PROGRESS REPORT BRANDON BELL The senior linebacker had 39 total tack- les, three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries in his first four games this season. He suffered from de- hydration and a separated shoulder, which kept him out for two games, but he was expecting to be back at full strength by late October. His team, Oakcrest, lost its first six games. ADAM BRENEMAN Breneman's torn ACL will keep him out for the entire season. Cedar Cliff is 5-2 without him. CURTIS COTHRAN The defensive end had three sacks in Council Rock North's 29-0 victory over Bensalem Oct. 12. Through seven games, Cothran had about 25 tack- les, 11 hurries, seven sacks and two pass deflections. The Indians were 3-4 on the season. KASEY GAINES Gaines blocked a punt in a 62-0 victory over Berkmar Oct. 12, a win that lifted Grayson High to 6-1 on the season. Complete stats haven't been made available, but Grayson is the 37th-ranked team in the nation according to Rivals.com. CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG The Rivals100 quarterback complet- ed 18 of 28 attempts for 283 yards in Fork Union's 36- 33 loss to Liberty Christian Oct 12. He added one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown, but also had two interceptions in the game. Through eight games, six of which were victories, he had completed 78 of 165 passes with 10 touchdowns and six intercep- tions. TANNER HARTMAN Hartman had five pancake blocks and five tackles, including two tackles for loss, in Liberty Christian's 36-33 victory over Fork Union Oct. 12. The win raised the Bulldogs' record to 6-1. BRENDAN MAHON The offensive lineman helped lead Ran- dolph to a 5-1 record at the midway point in its season. ANDREW NELSON With the help of Nelson, an offensive lineman, Hershey won five of its first seven games this season. NEIKO ROBINSON After having his suspension reduced, Robinson recorded 18 tackles in his first game back against Gulf Breeze Sept. 28. Northview was 4-2 through its first six games. GARRETT SICKELS The defensive end played a major part in Red Bank's first win of the season, recording 10 tack- les, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception against Neptune Oct. 12. The Bucs were 1-4 halfway through the season. JORDAN SMITH Smith has been ruled ineligible to play this season after transferring to H.D. Woodson this past winter. -R.S. I talked to Adam Breneman last night. He reached out to me, Chris- tian Hackenberg also reached out to me. They just congratulated me, wel- comed me to the family, saying that they're glad I decided to come there. I told them why I felt Penn State was right and that I'm excited to play with them. Your dad played Division I football at Virginia Tech. How has he helped you through the years and during the recruiting process? He's always been there to push me, but he's also always been laid-back. He's always said that if college football is what I really want to do, then he'll fully support me, but he also would stress that I understand what will be expected of me. He's always stressed

• Cover