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White-out game brings out possible record number of recruits, commits

UNIVERSITY PARK — White-out nights typically are the most attractive to recruiting prospects, and this might have been one of the biggest Penn State ever has had.

Sean Fitz reported on the Lions247 website around midday that Penn State was expecting more than 150 recruits for the game, including most of the players that have verbally committed to the Lions and six official visitors: linebackers Brelin Faison-Walden and Brailyn Franklin, defensive ends Yetur Matos and Olalere Oladipo, running back Anthony McFarland and wide receiver Jaylen Harris.

Faison-Walden, Franklin and Matos all are among Penn State’s current group of 14 commits for the 2017 class; Faison-Walden is particularly important, as he and Georgia cornerback D.J. Brown, scheduled to make an unofficial visit last night, both have either taken or discussed visiting other colleges after pledging to the Lions.

McFarland is one of the faster backs in the country. Harris is a 6-foot-5 wideout. Oladipo has verbally committed to Illinois.

Four-star defensive backs Lamont Wade and Tariq Castro-Fields were to highland the non-committed senior official visitors. Unfortunately, Wade, the Clairton standout considered the top uncommitted target still on Penn State’s recruiting board for 2017, had a game Saturday and couldn’t make it — he’s scheduled to take an official visit for the Iowa game and choose a college in December. Meanwhile, Castro-Fields was also weighing a trip to Maryland, and his eventual destination couldn’t be determined by press deadline.

In addition to 2018 commits Micah Parsons and Justin Shorter, a long list of underclassman visitors included national top-100 prospects like Virginia running back Ricky Slade, Erie offensive lineman Fredrick “Juice” Scruggs, Philadelphia safety Isheem Young, Aliquippa safety Kwantel Raines, Georgia cornerback Christian Tutt, Ohio linebacker Dallas Gant, New York tight end Jeremy Ruckert, Williamsport running back Trey Potts, New Jersey corner Nyquee Hawkins and D.C. linebacker Shane Lee.

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