Blue White Illustrated

Thompkins, Pappoe among players expected to be on hand for Blue-White Game R Y A N   S N Y D E R | S N y d E R 4 2 0 8 8 @ G M A I L . C O M A P R I L 1 8 , 2 0 1 8 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 16 Penn State fans are well aware of the staff's interest in five-star Virginia native Devyn Ford, but another running back – Georgia native Ronald Thompkins – has been moving up the Nittany Lions' board in recent months. A native of Loganville, which is located about an hour east of Atlanta, Thompkins made a name for himself these past two seasons at Grayson High School. If the school sounds familiar, it's because the Rams are routinely ranked among the top five high school football programs in the country. In fact, Thomp- kins is far from the only prospect who has grabbed James Franklin's attention lately, as the Penn State coach and his assistants have also offered six of Thompkins' classmates. One of those 2019 prospects is four-star linebacker Owen Pappoe, who's set to take an official visit to University Park this com- ing weekend for the Blue-White Game. And Pappoe isn't the only Grayson prospect who will be heading north, as Thompkins confirmed just a few days ago that he, too, will be taking an official visit to Penn State this weekend. "I've been mainly talking to Coach [Ja'Juan] Seider, the running back coach," Thompkins said. "I've been talking to him ever since he was at Florida. When he made the move to Penn State, it just carried over. I like his personality. He's a funny guy, fun to be around. He always has that positive energy. "But I also talk to Coach Franklin every now and then, whenever I get the chance. Some of their recruiting coordinators reach out, too." Thompkins is set to arrive in town late Friday evening. He'll then stay on campus all day Saturday and Sunday before leaving on Monday. "I still have a lot to learn, but I know that they have a great environment to play in," he said. "They have one of the biggest sta- diums in the country. It looks like a great place to play. Also, their depth chart is in- teresting. I feel like I would have a chance to make an impact as a freshman if I were to go to Penn State. "I also want to see the town and see the school. It's different up there compared to some of the schools down south, so I'm trying to see what that's like." In early March, Thompkins told Chad Simmons of Rivals.com that Penn State was F O O T B A L L R E C R U I T I N G Georgia prospects set to visit PSU ANTICIPATED BLUE-WHITE GAME VISITORS Verbally committed 2019 prospects NAME POS HOME SCHOOL Keaton Ellis* CB State College, Pa. State College Ta'Quan Roberson* QB Wayne, N.J. De Paul Catholic Uncommitted 2019 prospects Jahleel Billingsley* TE Chicago, Ill. Phillips JaQuan Brisker* Saf. Scranton, Pa. Lackawanna College Jaden Davis* ** CB Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas Devyn Ford* ** RB Stafford, Va. North Stafford Zach Harrison* ** DE Lewis Center, Ohio Olentangy Orange DeMarcco Hellams * Ath. Hyattsville, Md. DeMatha Cam'Ron Kelly* ** Ath. Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith Shane Lee* LB Baltimore, Md. St. Frances Jakai Moore* OL Nokesville, Va. Patriot David Ojabo * DT Blair, N.J. Blair Academy Owen Pappoe* ** LB Loganville, Ga. Grayson Tyler Rudolph* ** CB Oaksdale, Conn. St. Thomas More Ronald Thompkins* ** Ath. Loganville, Ga. Grayson Xavier Truss* OL Warwick, R.I. Bishop Hendricken Caedan Wallace* OL Princeton, N.J. The Hun School Ja'Markis Weston* ** WR Clewiston, Fla. Clewiston Andre White* LB Harrisburg, Pa. Harrisburg Marquis Wilson* ** CB Windsor, Conn. Avon Old Farms 2020 prospects Bryan Bresee DE Damascus, Md. Damascus Julian Fleming* WR Catawissa, Pa. Southern Columbia Rakim Jarrett* WR Washington, D.C. St. John's College High Chris Mayo OL Highstown, N.J. The Peddie School Tre' Williams DT Oakdale, Conn. St. Thomas More 2021 prospects Derrick Davis* Ath. Monroeville, Pa. Gateway Landon Tengwall* OL Laurel, Md. St. Vincent Pallotti * Has received a scholarship offer from Penn State | ** Will be taking official visit this weekend PAPPOE

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