Aliquippa’s Cameron Lindsey is one of the top western Pennsylvania prospects for the Class of 2024.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound linebacker from the famous Aliquppia High School is a four-star recruit, according to Rivals.com. Lindsey finished 2021 with 86 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns on a state championship-winning team.
Penn State was the first DI school to offer Lindsey, doing so the day after the PIAA state title game.
Nine DI schools have followed in offering Lindsey. Last weekend, he came back to Penn State for the school’s annual Lasch Bash.
Nittany Sports Now talked with Lindsey before the Lasch Bash and caught up with him after it to ask about how the weekend went, where Penn State stands in his recruitment and more.
Q: Obviously the Lasch Bash was a pretty laid-back thing. A lot of non-football stuff going on, just getting to know coaches and other players there. But from a football standpoint, how to the mini-camp that took place in the morning Saturday go for you?
A: It went well. I did pretty good, honestly. I thought I could have done better, though.
Q: You know (Penn State associate head coach) Terry Smith from your recruitment. He’s also from western Pennsylvania and has family in Alliquppia. So did you get to talk with Terry a lot over the weekend, and if so, how was it catching up with him in person?
A: It’s always good to see him. We treat each other like family, regardless (of recruiting.) It’s always love when I get to see him.”
Q: You said when we talked last that you were looking forward to getting to know Manny Diaz. Did you get to know him at all, and if so, how was your first interaction with the new defensive coordinator?
A: He was the second coach I saw after coach Terry. We had a good talk. I think we were supposed to go with him for the scavenger hunt because you go by your position coaches. But I ended up with a different (coach). When I talked to him, he was just talking about how I’m doing and how the summer’s been, things like that.”
Q: Did he talk with you about anything football related?
A: Yeah. But mostly, it wasn’t just football related. Most of the time I talked to him, it was just about life outside of football, how my parents were doing and things like that.
Q: I’m assuming you got to talk with coach Franklin as well. How’d that go, if so?
A: He’s super funny every time I get to see him. He’s definitely a great dude, and he seemed like a really great coach. Every time I get to see him, he definitely makes me laugh. He’s a super cool guy. Getting to see a coach up close like that is just insane really, especially someone of his stature that’s usually playing in big-time games.”
Q: What would you say your favorite part of the weekend was?
A: Definitely the scavenger hunt. That was definitely fun, hanging out with the other recruits that I was with and exploring campus.”
Q: Did you get to talk with (2023 Penn State LB commit) Ta’Mere (Robinson) at all?
A: I did. I saw him whenever he first came in. We talked a little bit, just got to see how he was and how he felt after his commitment.”
Q: Now did he try to Penn State to you at all?
A: No, we didn’t really talk too, too much. I’m sure, probably at some point, if I get to know him a little bit more, he’ll probably start.”
Q: Where is Penn State now compared to where it was in your recruitment before the Lasch Bash?
A: It always continues to surprise me just the new things that I can do and learn when I come and visit. So, I would say it’s definitely still a top school. It will probably stay at that for now, unless something changes. I definitely enjoy every time I get to go up in visit campus.”
Q: Do you have any plans to go back to Penn State, and, if so, have you thought of any dates?
A: “I’m definitley going to come up for some games this year. I want to go to a White Out game because I’ve actually never been to one.
