Andrew Rappleyea took advantage of some free time in his schedule on Wednesday and made the drive from Millbrook, New York to State College for an unofficial visit and it paid off.
The 3-star tight end, who attends school in Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, got the news from head coach James Franklin that his latest offer was from Penn State. Rappleyea also holds offers from Boston College, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Temple, Tennessee, Virginia and Wake Forest.
This morning, Rappleyea spoke with Nittany Sports Now about his first visit to Happy Valley and his latest Power Five offer.
“I had the opportunity to go visit Penn State because I actually don’t leave for school until this Saturday,” said Rappleyea. “I had a four day span where I was either going to just hang at home or I could go out and visit a school. When Penn State started to show some interest in early August, I made the decision that was a place that I wanted to go visit before I left for school. The visit went great. The staff was very sincere, very kind and I really enjoyed it.”
The highlight of the visit for Rappleyea was receiving news of the scholarship offer, something he hoped would happen.
“Coach Franklin offered me in the office yesterday. I was in a way expecting it because I didn’t think they would have invited me to visit from four hours away in the weather that was going on yesterday if they were just going to have me visit. So I had an idea I was going to be offered but obviously you try not to think that way going into it.”
“When Coach extended me the offer, we were sitting in his office, me, my mom and my dad and a couple coaches,” said Rappleyea. “He just told me that how the tight end position is very valued at Penn State and how he thought that I could make an impact at Penn State if that’s where I choose to be. The offer means a lot. I was just really grateful that I received another opportunity to play football at such an amazing school like Penn State.”
Working on speed cuts and top of routes, Still room for improvement. pic.twitter.com/8hKPFWjS8b
— Andrew Rappleyea (@andrewrappleyea) July 3, 2021
Rappleyea is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and runs a 4.7 in the 40. We asked him to describe the strengths of his game and what type of tight he considers himself to be.
“I’m definitely more of a pass threat because I feel that I can play out of the slot, inside and actually anywhere. People look at me and see 215 pounds and probably think that I can’t get on the line and block but if I’m in tight for a run play, I’m able to put someone into the ground as well.”
Windmill getting easy now. pic.twitter.com/I6wXyvkjEO
— Andrew Rappleyea (@andrewrappleyea) August 19, 2021
