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Penn State Football Recruiting

Recruiting notebook: Numerous PA prospects visit PSU

While Penn State hosted three players for official visits last weekend, dozens more visited campus in an unofficial capacity. That group of prospects included several from the Keystone State, spanning multiple classes.

From the Class of 2022, Keenan Nelson took his first of two visits to campus this month. Nelson, a four-star cornerback from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is expected to return this weekend for an official visit.

Also from St. Joseph’s Prep, Class of 2023 four-star linebacker Josiah Trotter and Class of 2024 defensive lineman Richard “Wink” James were in attendance.

Trotter, ranked fifth best in Pennsylvania and 120th overall in his class, received an offer from Penn State in May 2020. This month, both Clemson and Ohio State joined the mix for his services. His other brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, signed with the Tigers last December, while his father, Jeremiah Trotter, is a legendary player for the Philadelphia Eagles.

James, meanwhile, received his offer from the Nittany Lions last month. Since that time, Temple and Texas A&M have also extended offers. Currently unranked, James measures 6-foot-1, 240 pounds.

Another Philadelphia prospect, Class of 2023 cornerback Shawn Battle, made the trek to Penn State. Battle, who attends Neumann Goretti High School, is currently unranked. However, he garnered an offer from the Nittany Lions in April 2020, and he also boasts offers from the likes of Arizona State, Maryland, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Texas A&M, and WVU.

Also from the eastern part of the state, Semaj Bridgeman of Archbishop Wood was in attendance for an unofficial visit. A four-star linebacker, Bridgeman is rated as the fourth-best in PA in 2023, and 78th overall in the class. The Nittany Lions entered the mix in his recruitment in April 2020. His other notable offers consist of Arizona State, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Oregon, Rutgers, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, and WVU.

Additionally, Ta’Mere Robinson from Brashear in the Pittsburgh City League was in State College. A four-star safety who could ultimately project as a linebacker, Robinson ranks third in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2023, and 62nd overall. He received his Penn State offer in April 2020, and also took a trip to campus this past April. His other prominent offers include Michigan, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Pitt, and WVU.

VanSumeren sets official visit

This upcoming weekend will feature many of Penn State’s top targets in the Class of 2022 taking official visits, and another marquee prospect recently finalized his plans to join the star-studded collection. Four-star defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren will use his second official to Penn State, following his initial OV to Michigan State last weekend.

From Essexville, Michigan, VanSumeren is 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds. Per the 247 Sports Composite, he’s the fourth-best player in the state, and the 180th best overall in the entire class. VanSumeren has a massive offer sheet that notably includes Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin.

His older brother, Ben, initially signed with Michigan, but transferred to Michigan State in February.

Nittany Lions offers ’22 OL trio

Over the past week, Penn State extended offers to three more players in the Class of 2022. That trio includes offensive linemen JB Nelson, Alessandro Lorenzetti, and Jacob Hood.

Nelson is a junior college player who attends Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Nelson, who is listed as 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, previously played at Mount Lebanon High School near Pittsburgh. Per the 247 Sports Composite, he is currently unranked. His other offers consist of Maryland, NC State, Ole Miss, and WVU. Lackawanna teammate Tyrece Mills committed to Penn State last month, and the Falcons have sent more than a half dozen notable players to Penn State during James Franklin’s tenure.

Lorenzetti is originally from Montreal, Quebec, but attends The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut. Measuring 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, he also boasts notable offers from Michigan State, Baylor, Georgia, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. He’s expected to take official visits to Michigan State and Vanderbilt later this month. Lorenzetti is currently unranked.

Hood, from Nashville, is a three-star talent. Possessing a massive frame at 6-foot-8, 342 pounds, Hood is ranked 423rd overall in the Class of 2022. His other significant offers consist of Auburn, Georgia, Baylor, LSU, Miami, Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech. He recently visited Auburn, and also is expected to utilize an official visit to Georgia.

Nittany Lions crack top list for OL Early

Jaylen Early, a four-star interior offensive lineman, recently listed Penn State among his top choices. Early listed his top six, a group that also included Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Ohio State, and Florida State.

Ranked 203rd overall in the Class of 2022, Early hails from Duncanville, Texas. Penn State extended an offer to him in April 2020.

His official visits schedule this month includes trips to Ohio State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Florida State.

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