Blue White Illustrated

L ike the majority of players who 5nd themselves in possession of a Penn State o7er letter, incoming freshman Charlie Katshir is supremely athletic. And he has the measurables to prove it. Katshir is one of several Penn State re- cruits who has been spending his spring on the track. He recently achieved a per- sonal best in the 100-meter race, 5nish- ing in 11 seconds 6at. It's easy to imagine that type of speed translating into a role as a wide receiver or defensive back on the gridiron, and that was exactly the case at Cumberland Val- ley (Pa.) High School. Katshir accumu- lated 715 receiving yards during his senior season, while also lining up in a number of spots defensively, mainly at safety. "I would say I'm athletic, kind of like a ball hawk," Katshir said. "I follow the ball wherever it goes, just reading the quar- terback and reading plays well." Although Katshir uses the vernacular most fans associate with elite defensive backs, Penn State has di7erent plans for his athleticism. Katshir was recruited as an outside linebacker, primarily because of his body type. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he weighs 11 pounds more than the heaviest defen- sive back on Penn State's roster, Amani Oruwariye, and is 2 inches taller. "They told me that they see me 5lling out my body, just the way my body will 5ll out, getting a lot bigger. They don't really have safeties that size," Katshir said. "They said they see me as an outside line- backer, a hybrid type." Katshir certainly has a hybrid skill set. Combine his speed and athleticism with the intelligence and anticipatory abilities that come with playing safety, and Kat- shir already has a number of traits most outside linebackers don't – even before he steps foot on campus this summer. Now he's working to transform his body to 5t the role Penn State wants him to 5ll. Katshir is li9ing and eating "constantly," he said. During the spring, he did all that while keeping up with his obligations to the track team. But he isn't forgetting his roots at safety. "I think it helps my instincts," he said, "just kind of reading the play, reading the quarterback and just going a9er it." Based on James Franklin's comments during his signing day teleconference with the media, Katshir's instincts may help him compete for playing time when he arrives, despite the fact that he will be learning a new position. "We've got some real needs [at line- backer]. So a combination of a Katshir, [Micah] Parsons, [Jesse] Luketa and [Nick] Tarburton really helps us there, guys who have a chance to come in and compete," Franklin said. Katshir, who plays basketball in addi- tion to football and track, is no stranger to competition on the 5eld or court. This year, though, he was forced to confront some di8culties away from it. He tore his labrum during his junior season and had it surgically repaired be- fore tearing it again, causing damage to another ligament. Katshir underwent surgery again in February and didn't 6inch during his path to recovery. "Obviously it was tough, having my sec- ond surgery in the same year. But having that, going through that, made me a lot tougher," Katshir said. "For the recovery, going through physical therapy all over again, getting strength back, that mobil- ity, and then eventually getting back in the weight room – I got back in the weight room a couple months ago, and I'm back li9ing full time. It feels great." Soon, Karshir's attention will turn toward University Park, where he'll join a number of young, talented linebackers like Parsons and Luketa. (Tarburton has been moved to the defensive line.) The only one of the group without a fourth star, Katshir has his work cut out for him as he looks to make an early impact for the Lions. "I'm just kind of ready to get up there to see the di7erent competition, the talent," he said. "It will make me a better player, just going against those guys every day." But the central Pennsylvania native isn't about to lose perspective amid the com- petition that awaits. "It's great, just having the fan base out there," he said. "Knowing that they're be- hind me already, without even stepping foot on campus, it's just great. I want them to know that I'm just a hometown boy, living his dream, who will work hard for the school, the team, just to get what I want and what the town wants." ■ Katshir brings athleticism to PSU's linebacker corps | Visit BlueWhiteOnline.com to see video of Katshir in action. THE KATSHIR FILE STATS Totaled 171 tackles and 17 interceptions during his three varsity seasons... Finished career with 1,610 yards receiving and 509 yards rushing... Helped lead Cumberland Valley to a three- year record of 32-10 and a District III Class AAAA title in 2016 HONORS Named a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 43 outside linebacker in the Class of 2018 and No. 20 prospect in Pennsylvania... Was a first-team All-State de- fensive back his junior and senior seasons... Received Mini Maxwell Award in 2017

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