Nittany Sports Now had a chance to speak with Andre Clarke Jr., an eighth grade corner back who recently scheduled an unofficial visit to Penn State on June 12.
“I feel that the (James) Franklin program is one of the best programs in the country,” said Clarke in a text when asked about Penn State. “I love the navy jerseys with the white helmets. Amazing!!!”
Clarke is set to start his freshman season at Hermitage High School in Glen Allen, Virginia this upcoming fall. The class of 2026 target has already received interest from top programs, and has actually already been offered by four Division-I programs. This includes an FCS school (Campbell), a group-of-five school (Marshall), a SEC school (Ole Miss) and an ACC school (Virginia Tech).
“It’s amazing!” said Clarke on being recruited despite being only an eighth grader. “I always dreamed of this moment but I didn’t think it would happen so fast.
“It’s been crazy to say the least in a good way of course but the process is just getting started for me and it’s just gonna increase.”
Clarke describes himself as a “versatile player” that “can play whatever position on the field.” “I just love the game of football,” he said. For how he feels about his own personality, Clarke said, “I feel that I am a humble person that love people and get along with everyone”
It’s his parents, family and coaches that he feels gave him the tools to a successful football player. “Work ethic was something and still, til this day that I can hear my dad saying, ‘you have to be coach-able and have a good work ethic.'”
