Joey Palko, a Class of 2023 DE/TE who had been committed to Bucknell, got offered by Penn State this past weekend.
It didn’t take long for him to commit.
He announced his commitment to Penn State as a preferred walk-on late Wednesday night.
WE ARE 💙🤍🦁🦁 @coachjfranklin @ZemaitisTouch_ @Coach_Elby @Coachpoindexter @CoachJScott_DL @mcgeoy11 @joey_schlaffer pic.twitter.com/IuISJGnDji
— Joey Palko (@joey_palko) November 17, 2022
In his tweeted statement, Palko thanked God for “providing me many opportunities this fall,” his family for “helping me through the highs and lows of my recruiting process” and his coaches and trainers “that have put in plenty of hours with me.”
”After a long time of thoughts and prayers,” Palko wrote, “I am proud to announce that I am committed to play football at Penn State! Thank you to all the coaches for this opportunity. #WEARE.”
He then ended his statement by writing “WE ARE STAYING HOME!”
Palko communicated with Nittany Sports Now’s Mike Vukovcan after his offer, and said his relationship with Penn State started when he was a junior at Pottsville Area High School. Although Penn State lost the game Palko visited in nine overtimes to Illinois, he kept his interest.
“I then was in contact with (safeties) Coach (Anthony) Poindexter, and he visited me at my school in January,” Palko said. “I was given my offer from defensive line coach John Scott Jr, this past Saturday after a great conversation with him and Coach (Rashad) Elby (assistant recruiting coordinator). They see a lot of potential in me and think their defensive program and scheme fits me perfectly.”
Palko is a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, committed to Bucknell in August. Penn State was his first Power Five offer.
“It has always been a dream to even be recruited by Penn State,” Palko told NSN earlier this week, “so to have an opportunity to potentially play for them is a great feeling.”
Now, Palko is looking to make the most of that opportunity.
