With signing day on Wednesday, it looks like, barring a surprise, Penn State is down to three possibilities if it is going to add to its 26-player 2009 football recruiting class.
Virginia defensive end Lanford Collins' announcement in the middle of last week for Virginia Tech over Penn State and Virginia left Maryland linebacker Jelani Jenkins, Delaware wide receiver Justin Brown and Massachusetts defensive back Jim Noel as the only recruits still on the board with whom the Nittany Lions are known to still be involved.
Noel had verbally committed to Boston College but decided to give Penn State another look when the Eagles dismissed coach Jeff Jagodzinski following the season. Noel was to be at University Park this weekend on an official visit.
Both Jenkins and Brown are expected to hold off making a public college choice until Wednesday and have been tight-lipped about their decisions. Jenkins is believed to be down to Penn State and Florida, while Brown will sign with Penn State or Rutgers.
Considered to be the top weakside linebacker and one of the top 10 prospects in the country, Jenkins will announce his decision with several Good Counsel High School teammates around 10:45 a.m., according to his coach, Bob Milloy.
On Saturday, BlueWhite Illustrated and G&W Prep Report publisher Phil Grosz caused a stir on the Internet when he said on a radio talk show that he thought Jenkins would sign with Florida. On his web site, Grosz later clarified that he was basing his prediction on what contacts were telling him and the actions of Jenkins family, which cut off all in-home coaching visits after Urban Meyer stopped in about 10 days ago.
However, Milloy told the Mirror last week that Nittany Lion assistant coach Larry Johnson made a visit with Jenkins and his family immediately after Meyer's.
"I don't know what it's going to be,'' Milloy said of Jenkins' decision. "I really don't. I think the strong thing about Penn State is [Jenkins and his parents] love Larry, and Penn State is just two hours away.
"I truly don't think it's done, yet.''
Brown was first-team all-Delaware as a wide receiver and defensive back and third team as a punter, but the 6-foot-3, 209 pounder's future is on offense. He's long been considered a Penn State lean but is also reputed to have struck up a friendship with quarterback Tom Savage, a Rutgers recruit from Philadelphia Cardinal O'Hara.
Noel is a tall defensive back at 6-4, but he has sprinter's speed and is considered a potential cornerback - particularly in a cover-two defense - despite his height.
