UNIVERSITY PARK - Although the flooding throughout the eastern and central parts of Pennsylvania might have resulted in a number of late changes of plans, Penn State was expecting a banner day for recruiting visitors for its 27-11 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
Initial internet reports had 50-75 prospects anticipating to attend the game.
Already-committed safety-linebacker Camren Williams, cornerbacks Armani Reeves and Malik Golden, safety Jake Kiley, wide receiver Eugene Lewis, defensive tackles Tommy Shutt and Austin Johnson, tight ends Jesse James and Brent Wilkerson and offensive lineman Anthony Stanko were among the throng. Linebacker Nyeem Wartman and tight end J.P. Holtz were supposed to make the trip to watch their future team according to online sources.
The 107,846 also was to include a number of highly rated prospects that haven't committed. Florida tight end Kent Taylor and Ohio safety Bam Bradley reportedly were on official visits. Taylor, who has Pennsylvania ties, is the top-ranked tight end in the country and is widely believed to have the Nittany Lions with Florida at the top of his list of prospective schools - he's said he'll return to Happy Valley for the Nebraska game.
Jeannette safety De'Metrious Cox, Massachusetts receiver Canaan Severin and New Jersey quarterback-receiver Devin Fuller made it, while Ohio running back Will Mahone and Virginia receiver Joel Caleb were among the list of uncommitted recruits believed to be attending, as well, as was Ohio running back Bri'onte Dunn, who has verbally committed to Ohio State. The Lions are considered among the leaders for Cox, Severin and Mahone.
Perhaps the most intriguing uncommitted seniors on hand were four-star defensive tackles Jamil Pollard of New Jersey and Korren Kirven of Virginia. Pollard committed to Penn State in April but had his scholarship offer pulled because of a lack of academic progress; he reportedly was invited to the game by the Lion coaches and is said to still be very interested in Penn State. Kirven is considered a Virginia Tech lean who was thought to no longer have the Lions in the picture.
Penn State is looking to get another DT in this class now that former commit Jarron Jones of New York has picked Notre Dame. The Lions already have 17 commitments for its 2012 class and are believed to be in the market for six more recruits to finish things up.
New Jersey linebacker Quanzell Lambert was expected to attend, but Penn State is no longer involved with him; he was there to see Alabama, which is one of his leaders.
With most of the 2012 slots filled, Saturday also was a good opportunity to make inroads with high school juniors and sophomores. Virginia running back Derrick Green, Camp Hill tight end Adam Breneman, North Allegheny offensive lineman Pat Kugler, New Jersey linebacker Buddy Brown, Ohio offensive lineman Steve Mathie, Ohio linebacker Ben Gedeon, New Jersey offensive lineman Brad Henson, West Virginia receiver Ryan Switzer, Cathedral Prep quarterback Damion Terry and Gateway quarterback Tommy Woodson headlined the anticipated Class of 2013 prospects.
Virginia quarterback Ryan Burns and Maryland safety Delando Johnson - both juniors - originally planned to attend but didn't make it according to online reports.
