Recruiting notebook: Expansive group of prospects attend PSU’s spring practice

Last Friday, Penn State held its final practice of the spring at Beaver Stadium, which was open to the public. While having fans in attendance was a notable development, so too was the presence of an array of recruiting targets. The Nittany Lions welcomed nearly a dozen notable prospects, some of whom are expected to return to campus in several weeks for official visits.

Among the Class of 2022 visitors were four-star running back Nicholas Singleton, four-star defensive end Tyreese Fearbry, three-star defensive end Micah Wing, and four-star cornerback Jaeden Gould. Singleton, Fearbry, and Gould have already locked in official visits in June.

Joining Fearbry was another Pittsburgh City League standout, Class of 2023 four-star safety Ta’Mere Robinson. Robinson, who attends Brashear High School, is ranked as the 60^th-best player in the entire class per the 247 Sports Composite.

Robinson was not the highest-rated player from that class on campus, however, as five-star offensive guard Alex Birchmeier was in attendance. A native of Ashburn, Virginia, Birchmeier is rated 33^rd overall in 2023.

Another prospect from that class was at Penn State on Friday, as Exeter Township’s Joey Schlaffer made the trip. An unranked tight end who does not yet have an offer from the Nittany Lions, Schlaffer has received offers from a pair of Big Ten schools – Michigan State and Rutgers. Former Penn State offensive lineman Michal Menet also hailed from Exeter Township.

Lastly, a pair of 2024 teammates from St Joseph’s Prep were in attendance. Cornerback Omillio Agard and defensive tackle Richard James Jr. traveled from the Philadelphia area. Agard already has a bevy of impressive offers, including Penn State, Florida State, LSU, Miami, and Southern Cal. James, conversely, has not yet received an offer from the Nittany Lions, but he recently received his first prominent offer from Ole Miss.

Nittany Lions hand out more 2022 offers

Penn State continues to scan the landscape for potential targets in the Class of 2022, and the Nittany Lions extended offers to two more players from the class over the past week.

The Nittany Lions became the latest team to join the mix for fast-rising running back Major Everhart. Everhart, a three-star prospect from Amarillo, Texas, boasts 15 offers, all of which have come in 2021 except for one. Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, TCU, and Baylor are among the notable teams to also offer, and Everhart intends to utilize official visits to the Horned Frogs and Red Raiders in June.

Additionally, PSU extended an offer to kicker/punter Alex Bacchetta. The first specialist in the class to receive an offer from the Nittany Lions, Bacchetta hails from Atlanta, and attends Westminster School, which also produced former Penn State punter Blake Gillikin. Bacchetta is unranked by the 247 Sports Composite, but he’s ranked as the top punter and the seventh best kicker and a five-star prospect by Kohl’s Kicking. Arkansas and Virginia have also offered over the past few months.

PA seniors Ripka, Tutty commit as PROs

Two Pennsylvania players have joined Penn State’s Class of 2021, as Stephen Ripka and Jace Tutty both recently announced their commitments to the program as preferred run-ons (PRO).

Ripka is a defensive back from Penns Valley Area High School. During his career with the Rams, he also played receiver and kickoff/punt returner. He posted more than 900 yards receiving during his high-school career, as well as 46 tackles and three interceptions.

Tutty, meanwhile, played for Stroudsburg High School. In 2020, he excelled at linebacker, but has also played receiver, running back, and safety.

Click for more Nittany Sports Now coverage