Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/955638
these players have visited at least once, so Penn State should have no di:culty land- ing three solid o9ensive linemen in 2019. Defensive tackle PLAYERS ON 2018 ROSTER 10 PROJECTED SIGNEES 1 Penn State has signed six defensive tackles in its past two classes and doesn't have any graduating seniors, so the coaches could skip this position group if they were to miss out on their top targets. But as of early March, that appeared un- likely to happen. Last fall, Antonio Alfano of Rahway, N.J., appeared to be a heavy Penn State lean, but the sta9 is no longer pursuing him. So, who should fans keep an eye on? Steven Faucheux of West Chester, Ohio, and Savion Jackson of Clayton, N.C., have both visited at least once. Faucheux is expected to return be- fore the end of spring practice. Mazi Smith of Kentwood, Mich., and Joshua Harris of Roxboro, N.C., have also said that they want to visit Penn State before the end of April. It's tough to pinpoint one speci8c defensive tackle who is favoring the Lions, but we expect the sta9 to add an interior lineman in this class. Defensive end PLAYERS ON 2018 ROSTER 8 PROJECTED SIGNEES 2 Damion Barber is now focusing on de- fensive tackle, which means that Yetur Gross-Matos was essentially the only de- fensive end to sign with Penn State in the 2017 class. Franklin and Sean Spencer added only one end this past recruiting cycle in Jayson Oweh, so it looks as though the Lions should take at least two pass-rushers in 2019. They are in the mix with a handful of prospects, including 8ve-star Ohio native Zach Harrison, who's expected to return to Penn State April 21 to attend the Blue-White Game. Another Ohio prospect, Noah Potter of Mentor, has also visited regularly and is expected to return to University Park in March. In addition, four-star ends Adisa Isaac of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Joseph Wete of Washington, D.C., have visited Penn State at least once. We know the Nittany Lions are in great position with Rivals100 member Brandon Smith. The 6-3, 218- pound prospect from Mineral, Va., worked out as a linebacker for defensive CLASS OF 2019 NAME POS HT WT RATING HOME SCHOOL Keaton Ellis CB 6-0 160 ★★★ State College, Pa. State College Area Taquan Roberson QB 6-0 198 ★★★ Wayne, N.J. DePaul Catholic * As of March 10 P E N N S T A T E R E C R U I T S * C L A S S O F 2 0 1 9 VERSATILE PLAYER The 6-3, 218- pound Smith could play linebacker or defensive end at the college level. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com