Recruiting update
PENN STATE
Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown
Damion Barber 6-3 245 DE Harrisburg, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Temple
Assistant coach who opened the door: Brent Pry
FYI: Formed formidable bookend combination with 2018 Lion commit Micah Parsons that led Harrisburg to PIAA Class 5A finals.
D.J. Brown 5-10 165 CB Fairburn, Ga.
Chose PSU over: UCLA, Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Louisville
Assistant coach who opened the door: Terry Smith
FYI: Selected with fellow recruit Fred Hansard for the 56-player USA Football Under-19 all-star team
Journey Brown 5-11 194 RB Meadville, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Syracuse, Temple, Duquesne
Assistant coach who opened the door: Charles Huff
FYI: Defending PIAA Class 3A 100-meter champ rushed for 10 TDs and more than 700 yards in one game as a junior
Sean Clifford 6-2 207 QB Cincinnati, Ohio
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Louisville, Pitt, Missouri
Assistant coach who opened the door: Ricky Rahne
FYI: Despite an injury that forced him to sit out Under Armour All-American Game, led Saint Xavier to an Ohio Division 1 title with an overtime with over Saint Ignatius in the final
Brelin Faison-Walden 6-1 200 LB Greensboro, N.C.
Chose PSU over: Virginia Tech, Michigan, North Carolina State, Georgia
Assistant coach who opened the door: Brent Pry
FYI: Preseason all-state pick had nine tackles for loss, five sacks
Brailyn Franklin 6-2 200 LB Haymarket, Va.
Chose PSU over: Virginia Tech, Maryland, Syracuse, Temple
Assistant coach who opened the door: Brent Pry
FYI: Transplant from Arlington, Texas, made second team Class 6A Virginia as a junior after being forced to play nose tackle due to injuries
K.J. Hamler 5-9 152 WR Commerce, Mich.
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Oregon, Iowa State
Assistant coach who opened the door: Tim Banks
FYI: Originally from Allen Robinson’s high school, St. Mary’s, but transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for senior season
Fred Hansard 6-3 314 DT Princeton, N.J.
Chose PSU over: Florida, Tennessee, Michigan State, Rutgers
Assistant coach who opened the door: Brent Pry
FYI: Latest product of prestigious Hun School program is U.S. Under-19 team member who made 14 tackles for loss in 2016; originally committed to Florida
Mac Hippenhammer 6-0 170 WR Fort Wayne, Ind.
Chose PSU over: Iowa, Wake Forest, Michigan State, Indiana
Assistant coach who opened the door: Josh Gattis
FYI: Indianapolis Star’s Mr. Football for the wide receiver position accumulated more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving and averaged 40 yards per kick return
Des Holmes 6-4 320 OT Springfield, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Maryland, Pitt, Temple
Assistant coach who opened the door: Matt Limegrover
FYI: Made Class 4A all-state after leading a team that went 1-9 in 2015 to a 10-1 finish his senior season
Donovan Johnson 5-10 169 CB Detroit, Mich.
Chose PSU over: Virginia Tech, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee
Assistant coach who opened the door: Tim Banks
FYI: Product of perennial power Cass Tech was picked for U.S. Army All-American Game and ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at “The Opening”
Robert Martin 6-5 258 OT Montvale, N.J.
Chose PSU over: Boston College, Rutgers
Assistant coach who opened the door: Matt Limegrover
FYI: Scout.com’s No. 6 guard prospect in the country was second-team all-New Jersey and first-team all-Jersey non-public school all-star
Yetur Matos 6-5 230 DE Fredericksburg, Va.
Chose PSU over: Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Virginia
Assistant coach who opened the door: Brent Pry
FYI: Conference’s co-player of the year broke Chancellor High School’s 26-year-old career sack record on his way to making second-team Class 4A all-Virginia
Michael Miranda 6-3 295 G Stow, Ohio
Chose PSU over: Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia
Assistant coach who opened the door: Matt Limegrover
FYI: Named offensive player of the year in the Suburban League despite not playing at a skill position
Cameron Sullivan-Brown 6-1 185 WR Laurel, Md.
Chose PSU over: Maryland, Duke, Syracuse, West Virginia
Assistant coach who opened the door: Charles Huff
FYI: Had two interceptions and broke up a key fourth-down pass covering Alabama recruit Trevon Diggs as a junior
Jonathan Sutherland 6-0 193 S Alexandria, Va.
Chose PSU over: Wisconsin, Syracuse, Boston College, Michigan
Assistant coach who opened the door: Tim Banks
FYI: Originally from Ottawa but first-team all-Virginia picked played his prep ball with fellow Canadian and Michigan recruit Luiji Vilain at Episcopal High School.
C.J. Thorpe 6-4 310 G Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Michigan, Auburn
Assistant coach who opened the door: Terry Smith
FYI: Son of former Lion Chris Thorpe and cousin of PSU basketball player Geno Thorpe started for power Pittsburgh Central Catholic in two PIAA championship games
Lamont Wade 5-9 190 CB Clairton, Pa.
Chose PSU over: West Virginia, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA
Assistant coach who opened the door: Terry Smith
FYI: Under-Armour All-American was a three-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 pick and the WPIAL’s all-time co-leader in career touchdowns
PITTSBURGH
Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown
Deslin Alexandre 6-5 230 DE Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: North Carolina State, Syracuse, Rutgers, Temple
FYI: Early enrollee has originally committed to N.C. State.
Cameron Bright 6-1 210 LB Montgomery, Ala.
Chose Pitt over: Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio)
FYI: Ohio transplant made 131 tackles and had 16.5 sacks as a senior.
Dontavius Butler 6-2 195 WR Plantation, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: North Carolina State, Temple, Toledo, Bowling Green
FYI: Three-star prospect out of powerful American Heritage program, which won third state title in four years.
Grant Carrigan 6-7 247 TE Gibsonia, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: Kent State, Wake Forest
FYI: Son of former Panther basketball player spent previous two years at high schools in Nevada, West Virginia.
Kamonte Carter 6-4 305 DT Gaithersburg, Md.
Chose Pitt over: Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Kentucky
FYI: Kickoff off Penn State team in spring of 2016, landed at East Mississippi Community College.
Kirk Christodoulou 6-1 210 P Melbourne, Australia
Chose Pitt over: Only offer — committed during U.S. tour
FYI: Product of novel Prokick Australia program that teaches athletes from that continent to kick footballs.
Jerry Drake Jr. 6-6 310 OT Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee
FYI: Son of six-year veteran of Arizona Cardinals also had offers from Alabama and Florida State.
Owen Drexel 6-2 280 C Montclair, N.J.
Chose Pitt over: Rutgers, Boston College, Air Force
FYI: Selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Texas.
Paris Ford 6-1 180 S Homestead, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State
FYI: Top prospect on Steel Valley team which took PIAA Class 2A title by winning every game of the season via the mercy rule.
Gabe Houy 6-6 250 OT Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: Maryland, Cincinnati, Wake Forest
FYI: Comes out of same Upper St. Clair program that produced Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler Sean Lee.
Damarria Mathis 5-11 178 CB Lakeland, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: South Carolina, Minnesota, Cincinnati
FYI: High school has won six state titles and produced NFL’s Maurkice and Maurice Pouncey, as well as Major League Baseball star Boog Powell.
Kyle Nunn 6-3 196 S Findlay, Ohio
Chose Pitt over: Indiana, Iowa State, Northwestern
FYI: Second-team Division I all-Ohio pick recently scored 30 points in a basketball game.
Kenny Pickett 6-3 200 QB Oakhurst, N.J.
Chose Pitt over: Boston College, Temple, Iowa
FYI: Former Temple commit passed for more than 1,700 yards as a junior and will join graduate transfer Max Browne in Panthers’ QB room.
Jason Pinnock 6-1 190 CB Windsor, Conn.
Chose Pitt over: Boston College, UConn, Purdue, Notre Dame
FYI: Hartford Courant defensive player of the year was responsible for coming up with 10 turnovers in 2016.
Charles Reeves 6-5 230 TE Steubenville, Ohio
Chose Pitt over: Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan State
FYI: First-team Division IV all-Ohio pick is considered top tight end prospect in that state, also excels in basketball.
Tyler Sear 6-5 250 TE New Castle, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: Temple, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron
FYI: PA Sports Writers Class 2A all-state selection
Todd Sibley 5-9 214 RB Akron, Ohio
Chose Pitt over: Ohio State, Indiana, Missouri
FYI: Former Buckeye commit scored touchdown in Under Armour All-American game and helped Archbishop Hoban to two state titles.
Michael Smith 6-2 200 WR Vero Beach, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: Indiana, Georgia Tech, Washington State, Notre Dame
FYI: TCPalm offensive player of the year caught 66 passes for 1,566 yards and 24 touchdowns this fall.
Darian Street 6-1 175 WR Bethlehem, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: UConn, Kent State
FYI: Brother Devin was Panthers’ all-time receiving leader until Tyler Boyd broke his mark.
Albert Tucker 6-1 197 LB Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Chose Pitt over: Kentucky, Colorado, Colorado State
FYI: Made 34 tackles this season for national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, Florida Class 7A state champ.
Carson Van Lynn 6-6 235 DT Columbus, Ohio
Chose Pitt over: Duke, Wake Forest, Rutgers
FYI: Cousin Matt Skura played center for Duke.
Carter Warren 6-6 315 OT Passaic, N.J.
Chose Pitt over: Maryland, Virginia Tech, Syracuse
FYI: Considered Passaic Tech’s best recruit since Gerald Hayes, who signed with Pitt in 1999.
NOTRE DAME
Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown
David Adams 6-1 224 LB Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chose Notre Dame over: Penn State, Pitt, Stanford, Louisville, Michigan
FYI: Led PIAA Class 6A runner-up Pittsburgh Central Catholic in tackles, sacks.
Aaron Banks 6-7 315 OT El Cerrito, Calif.
Chose Notre Dame over: Michigan, Oregon, Arizona State
FYI: Considered the top-rated offensive lineman in northern California.
Avery Davis 5-11 192 QB Cedar Hill, Texas
Chose Notre Dame over: Auburn, Colorado, Texas Tech, SMU
FYI: Completed almost 70 percent of his passes for 2,876 yards, 37 touchdowns in 2016.
Darnell Ewell 6-4 295 DT Norfolk, Va.
Chose Notre Dame over: Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan
FYI: Mad first-team Group 4A all-Virginia out of Lake Taylor High School.
Jordan Genmark-Heath 6-2 205 S San Diego, Calif.
Chose Notre Dame over: California, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Oregon State, Northwestern
FYI: Native of Sweden who came to U.S. three years ago after stepfather won green card in a lottery.
Dillan Gibbons 6-4 311 OT Clearwater, Fla.
Chose Notre Dame over: Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State
FYI: Selected first-team small-school All-American by MaxPreps website.
Robert Hainsey 6-4 276 G Monroeville, Pa.
Chose Notre Dame over: Penn State, Michigan State, Michigan
FYI: Spent the last two years at IMG Academy in Florida after transferring from Gateway High School.
Kurt Hinish 6-2 283 DT Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chose Notre Dame over: Penn State, Pitt, Florida, Florida State, Baylor
FYI: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 pick helped Pittsburgh Central Catholic make consecutive PIAA Class 6A finals.
C.J. Holmes 6-0 200 RB Hamden, Conn.
Chose Notre Dame over: Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA
FYI: Averaged more than 8 yards per carry this season for New England Bowl winners.
Cole Kmet 6-5 230 TE Arlington Heights, Ill.
Chose Notre Dame over: Ohio State, Michigan, Louisville, Baylor
FYI: Father of this U.S, Army All-American went on to play for the Chicago Bears.
Joshua Lugg 6-7 293 OT Wexford, Pa.
Chose Notre Dame over: Tennessee, Pitt, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State
FYI: Best lineman on a North Allegheny offense that averaged 34.9 points; Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 pick.
Jonathon MacCollister 6-4 238 DE Orlando, Fla.
Chose Notre Dame over: Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan State, Auburn, Illinois, UCLA
FYI: Comes out of same Bishop Moore program as Irish lineman Parker Boudreaux.
Isaiah Robertson 6-3 190 WR Naperville, Ill.
Chose Notre Dame over: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Vanderbilt
FYI: USA Today first-team all-Illinois pick is one of five early enrollees for Fighting Irish.
Drew White 6-1 225 LB Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Chose Notre Dame over: Michigan, Ohio State, LSU
FYI: Product of national prep powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.
Brock Wright 6-4 243 TE Cyrpess, Texas
Chose Notre Dame over: Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Michigan
FYI: Nation’s second-rated tight end caught 30 passes for a team that only completed 130.
Michael Young 5-11 175 WR Destrehan, La.
Chose Notre Dame over: Texas A&M, Oregon, Arizona State
FYI: Caught nearly 40 passes for team that reached Louisiana Class 5A semifinals.
COMMENTS