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Penn State Football Recruiting

Recruiting notebook: PSU scores with Alabama WR

Harrison Wallace

During James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State, the Nittany Lions have secured commitments from players all across the country, and even spanning another continent. With the latest pledge from wide receiver Harrison Wallace, however, the Nittany Lions claimed their first commitment in Alabama in nearly seven years.

Wallace, who switched his verbal pledge from Duke to Penn State on Monday, hails from Pike Road, Alabama. Prior to Wallace, the most recent commitments from the state came in the Class of 2014, with defensive back Christian Campbell, who played for Central in Phenix City, and defensive lineman Torrance Brown, who attended Tuscaloosa Academy in Tuscaloosa.

Since that time, in addition to Penn State’s strongholds in the Northeast and Midwest, the Nittany Lions have also gained commitments from players in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Oregon, as well as in Canada and Germany.

Wallace, a three-star recruit who ranks as the 21st best player in the state and 554th nationally in 2021 according to the 247 Sports Composite, could begin a pipeline to Penn State, however. The Nittany Lions are heavily pursuing Class of 2021 running back Deshun Murrell, from Bibb County High School in Centreville, Alabama, and also offered Wallace’s teammate, 2022 running back Quinshon Judkins, last week. Judkins, rated as a three-star player, has garnered more than a dozen Power Five offers, including Michigan and Nebraska in the Big Ten.

Murrell names finalists, sets decision date

One of the top remaining targets for Penn State in the Class of 2021 plans to announce his commitment next week, and the Nittany Lions appear to be a finalist. Deshun Murrell, the aforementioned Alabama native and three-star running back, stated that he will commit and sign his letter of intent on Friday, Dec. 18.

Penn State offered Murrell on Nov. 11, and less than two weeks later, he ended his commitment to UCLA. The Bruins still remain in contention, however, and Penn State appears to be the other finalist. In an interview with Sports Illustrated earlier this week, Murrell named those two schools as his likely options, although he noted that other schools have continued to pursue him.

Murrell also plans to compete in track and field collegiately.

PSU makes top 6 for DE Anderson

Deonte Anderson garnered his Penn State offer less than a month ago, but the Class of 2021 defensive end already has the Nittany Lions among his top teams. Anderson, of Fort Meade, Florida, included Penn State in his top six list, along with Central Florida, Nebraska, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Mississippi State.

Anderson, rated as the 385th best player nationally in the class, also received offers from Big Ten schools Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, and Northwestern.

Nittany Lions extend offer to 6-foot-6 WR

Penn State already has two wide receiver commitments in the Class of 2022, but the Nittany Lions may have their sights set on adding more to the mix. On Tuesday, the Nittany Lions offered three-star prospect Jayden Gibson. Gibson, from Winter Garden, Florida, plays for West Orange. Listed as 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, he ranks as the 603rd player nationally for the class.

The Nittany Lions join nearly 20 other schools that have offered Gibson, including Maryland.

Seven PSU pledges earn PA All-State honors

Between the classes of 2021 and 2022, Penn State has commitments from eight players from Pennsylvania. Of that collection of talent, seven of the players were recently named to the MaxPreps All-State teams for PA.

Among the first-team honorees included were wide receiver Lonnie White Jr. (Malvern Prep), tight end Khalil Dinkins (North Allegheny), offensive lineman Nate Bruce (Harrisburg), and kicker Sander Sahaydak (Liberty). Second-team recipients consisted of wide receiver Anthony Ivey (Manheim Township), offensive lineman Drew Shelton (Downington West), and all-purpose Beau Pribula (Central York).

Some notable PSU targets from the Class of 2022 also garnered recognition, including first-teamers running back Nicholas Singleton (Governor Mifflin), all-purpose Mehki Flowers, linebacker Abdul Carter (La Salle College), and defensive back Keenan Nelson Jr. (St. Joseph’s Prep). Additionally, first-team punter Mitchell Groh (Dallastown), from the Class of 2021, recently received a preferred walk-on opportunity from Penn State.

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