Class of 2023 ATH Bobby Mears has committed to Penn State as a preferred walk-on, he announced via Twitter Thursday night.
We Are 🦁🦁🔵⚪️ @coachjfranklin @Coach_Elby @CoachJScott_DL @PennStateFball @CoachGueriera @MalvernPrepFB pic.twitter.com/GRa1WBUSVX
— Bobby Mears (@BobbyMears1) November 18, 2022
Mears (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) is from Malvern Prep High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, which is less than three hours away from State College.
He’s capable of playing tight end, defensive end, wide receiver and linebacker.
In his announcement, Mears thanked his family for “building me into the person and player I’ve become,” his coaches, “especially head coach Dave Gueriera, coach Joe Carr and trainer Beau Westhoff,” and teammates for “always pushing me to get better,” before announcing his commitment.
“I’d like to thank (head) coach (James) Franklin,” Mears wrote, “Coach (Rashad) Elby (assistant recruiting coordinator) and the rest of the Penn State coaching staff for this unbelievable opportunity.”
Nittany Sports Now caught up with Mears via text message after he announced his commitment.
He was the second in-state product to committ to Penn State as a PWO Thursday, with Joey Palko announcing his commitment in the morning.
“Being in-state makes me love it that much more,” Mears told NSN. “It makes it more special knowing I’m playing for my hometown team.”
Mears told NSN that, due to his size, he sees himself as a defensive end or tight end at the college level.
As a walk-on, Mears will be thought of by many as an underdog, and that’s something he’s accustomed to.
“Having the underdog mentality is something I’m definitely used to,” he said. “My team faced that this year and that drove us to be great. I plan on the same thing at Penn State. Showing people what you can do when they doubt is the best feeling ever, so that is a feeling I want to have.”
So what is Penn State getting in Bobby Mears?
“Penn State is getting a versatile player who will work relentlessly ‘till the job is finished and then some,” Mears said.
