It looks like the decision of top-200 prospect Jamil Pollard to decommit from Penn State on Sunday might not have been his idea.
It might have come from the Nittany Lion coaching staff.
West Deptford, N.J. football coach Clyde Folsom told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Penn State actually had pulled its scholarship offer from his 6-foot-5, 280-pound first-team all-South Jersey defensive tackle because of academic concerns.
As a result, Pollard could still find his way to Happy Valley if he gets his grades in order. It's believed Penn State will continue to recruit Pollard, but Rutgers and Boston College lead a deep field of other suitors.
"Penn State could get back in the picture, but they felt he hadn't made the [academic] progress they were looking for,'' Folsom said to the Inquirer. "They didn't feel they could hold the scholarship.''
The Lions also have their fair share of other highly touted defensive tackle targets: Illinois Tommy Schutt, Faith Ekakitie and Sheldon Day, New York's Jarron Jones and Maryland's Ryan Watson. Jones had been committed to the Nittany Lions but is now considering Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Schutt, a self-proclaimed Penn State fan growing up, is expected to visit University Park this summer and also is on the Fighting Irish's radar.
The Lions' 2012 recruiting class could grow by as many as two today. According to internet reports, suburban Philadelphia quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg, the son of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and a one-time Stanford commit, might make an announcement today, while Connecticut cornerback Malik Golden is scheduled to make an unofficial visit to Penn State.
Golden is down to Penn State, Boston College, Iowa and UConn. He's part of a corps of defensive backs with whom the Lions seem to be in good shape which also includes Massachusetts corner Armani Reeves, Jeannette safety De'metrious Cox and Virginia safety Mike Tyson -- Penn State is rumored to be in the market for four DBs in this class, but that number could go up with recent word that cornerback recruit Shyquawn Pullium of Erie is headed to junior college after a year at Kiski Prep.
Meanwhile, one of Penn State's current commits got some good news on Wednesday. Colorado all-state offensive lineman Joey O'Connor has been invited to play in January's Under Armour All-American Game.
