The Penn State football team has received the 10th verbal commitment for its 2011 recruiting class, and it comes from an area not usually linked with the Nittany Lions.
Glendale, Ariz. Cactus High School two-time first-team all-state offensive lineman Ryan Nowicki made a pledge to the Nittany Lions, BlueWhite Illustrated announced on its website Wednesday night. According to the website, Nowicki committed on Tuesday.
Nowicki (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) picked Penn State over Southern California and Washington, all of which he officially visited. He cancelled an official visit to Oregon State and reportedly had 20 scholarship offers.
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Originally from Illinois, Nowicki is the second surprise commitment for the Lions in a week. Penn State got Michigan defensive end Anthony Zettel, who was expected to sign with Michigan or Michigan State, on Dec. 28.
Seen as a tackle, Nowicki is the third offensive lineman in this recruiting class, joining New Jersey's Angelo Mangiro and Anthony Alosi. The Lions may add to that on Saturday, when Maryland's Donovan Smith announces his college choice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio - Smith also is looking at UCLA and North Carolina State.
Most consider Penn State the leader for Smith.
- Philip Cmor
