Four-star Class of 2024 ILB Anthony Speca has committed to Penn State, he announced via Twitter early Tuesday afternoon.
HOME 🦁🦁 #WEARE @PennStateFball @coachjfranklin @Coach_MannyDiaz @CoachTerryPSU @Coachdanconnor pic.twitter.com/hgsEYNTfhv
— Anthony Speca (@aspeca6) January 17, 2023
The 6-foot-2.5, 220-pounder is a standout at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School.
Speca is the second player from the 2024 Class to commit to Penn State, and both commits are Pennsylvania products.
Speca joins McDowell’s Cooper Cousins, a four-star offensive lineman who committed to Penn State way back in January of 2022.
Penn State now has four linebackers signed/committed between the 2023 and ‘24 classes. Four-stars Tony Rojas (Fairfax, Virginia), Kaveion Keys (Richmond, Virginia) and Ta’Mere Robinson (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) are all signed to the Class of ‘23.
Speca most recently visited Penn State this past weekend for the school’s Junior Day. He was also recruited heavily by Michigan, Ohio State and Pitt, among others. But Penn State seemed to be the favorite, with all four of 247Sports’ “Crystal Ball” projections forecasting Speca to pick Penn State.
Ironically, 247’s scouting report on Speca, written by National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn, compared Speca to current Penn State linebacker Tyler Elsdon
Dohn wrote that Speca has “verified size but did not test on the camp circuit.”
”Highly productive player averages more than 12 tackles a game as a junior,” Dohn wrote. “Physically advanced and possesses strength and mentality to get on field quickly in college. Muscular build throughout frame. Plays middle linebacker in Central Catholic’s 4-3 scheme. Excels as a downhill player in shooting gaps and disrupting plays. Playing style build as a run stopper who is physical between the tackles.”
Speca is part of one of the WPIAL’s most prominent programs. Central Catholic played in the Class 6A district championship game in each of Speca’s first three seasons and won it in 2020.
Central Catholic also once housed legendary NFL quarterback Dan Marino. Marino, of course, played at Pitt. Anthony Speca is looking to carve out a college football legacy at Penn State.
