Blue White Illustrated

Ogar and Foskey on campus is an excel- lent sign of the school's growing reputa- tion. But as with most elite programs, the majority of the Lions' top targets reside close to home. For junior day, Penn State hosted seven prospects who hold a schol- arship o7er and live within driving dis- tance, including quarterback Taisun Phommachanh of Avon, Conn.; safety Nick Cross of Hyattsville, Md.; defensive end Adisa Isaac of Brooklyn, N.Y.; wide receiver John Metchie of Hagerstown, Md.; linebacker Andre White of Harris- burg, Pa.; and o7ensive linemen Jakai Moore of Nokesville, Va., and Saleem Wormley of Smyrna, Del. Phommachanh has been moving up the sta7's board for the past few months and now appears to be Ricky Rahne's top re- maining target at quarterback following Garrett Shrader's decision in early April to verbally commit to Joe Moorhead at Mississippi State. Phommachanh's visit was his third to Happy Valley. He also saw Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Georgia in March and is now closing in on a decision. We feel con6dent that the Lions will be one of a handful of schools that he ultimately decides between. As for Cross, he visited Penn State for the 6rst time last month. The four-star prospect from DeMatha High School had good things to say about the coaching sta7 and campus, adding that he plans to return in the near future. "I think they have moved up my board a good amount," Cross said. "I hope to be back up there soon. They are real con- tenders now." At 6-1, 205 pounds, Cross is listed as a safety, but he could grow into a linebacker at the college level. Notre Dame is an- other serious contender, and he also holds o7ers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Stanford. While it's still early in the 2019 cycle, the Lions appear to be leading for Isaac, Metchie, Moore and White. Wormley is now another player who will bear close watching. A8er earning an o7er from the sta7 during his visit, he made it clear that he thinks very highly of Penn State. "I've been waiting on this o7er," he said. "My friends know I wanted this one for a long time, so they are de6nitely going to be one of my top schools when I go to make a decision." On April 7, Penn State hosted a few other notable 2019 prospects, including linebacker Brandon Smith of Mineral, Va.; cornerback Joey Porter Jr. of Pitts- burgh; and defensive tackles Steven Faucheux of West Chester, Ohio, and David Ojabo of Blair, N.J. A member of the Rivals100, Smith is one of the sta7's top overall targets this year, regardless of position. Following this most recent trip, he's now been on campus 6ve times since March 2016 and is planning to take his of- 6cial visit to University Park at the end of September for the game against Ohio FANTASTIC CUISINE EXCEP TIONAL ATMOSPHERE Voted Best Fine Dining V o o t e d B e s t F i n e D i n i n g Colleg W ve Av . College & Cato carnegieinnandspa.com | 814.234.2424 Corner of C Corner of Cricklewood Dr. and Toftrees Ave. carnegieinnandspa.com | 814.234.2424 . Colleg W. College & Cato 814.861.3463 gigisdining.com RN RN ABLE ABLE TA T ve Av . College & Cato 814.861.3463 gigisdining.com

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