It appears one of Penn State's top recruiting targets for 2012 is off the board and headed elsewhere.
Jarron Jones, the highly rated 6-foot-6, 300-pound defensive tackle from Rochester who at one time was verbally committed to Penn State, made a pledge to Notre Dame on Monday night according to internet reports.
One of the consensus top 50 seniors in the country, Jones is the Irish's 14th commitment in this class and joins DT Sheldon Day, who also had been looking at Penn State. Ishaq Williams, a prep All-American defensive lineman who was high on Penn State last year, is a freshman at Notre Dame.
Jones cited the vibrancy of the Irish coaches and a feeling that he would have more success at Notre Dame than at Penn State in an interview with the Rivals.com network.
Penn State is expected to try to sign four or five defensive tackles in this class, and the Lions already have commitments from Illinois' Tommy Schutt, Maryland's Brian Gaia, Virginia's Derek Dowrey and New Jersey's Austin Johnson. New Jersey's Jamil Pollard had been committed to Penn State at one point, but his offer was withdrawn for academic reasons; he could still be on Penn State's radar, although it is possible prep school would be in his future.
Penn State is involved with Illinois defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie, as well.
The Nittany Lions have 17 verbal commitments in this class and are expected to bring in as many as 23 recruits.
