During his press conference Tuesday, Penn State coach James Franklin spoke about getting a blue-chip signee in four-star offensive tackle Chimdy Onoh.
Onoh, a four-star from Dundalk High School in Maryland, picked Penn State on National Signing Day last week. This capped off a recruiting cycle that four blue-chip offensive linemen highlighted.
In his opening statement Tuesday, Franklin told reporters that Onoh’s versatility, character and high upside make him a great fit.
“I thought Chimdy [Onoh] was a really good get for us late,” Franklin said. “A guy that we think has tremendous upside, has position flexibility, whether it’s tackle or guard. Really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. His mom has done a phenomenal job, not just with Chimdy, but really all of her children, all four of her children. (She) has done a phenomenal job. His high school, Dundalk High School, really did a good job.”
During his recruitment process, Franklin and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein not only Onoh’s saw football game tape but saw his length and athleticism. Onoh is also a basketball player at Dundalk, and his future college coaches attended one of Onoh’s recent basketball games. Even when watching a different sport, Franklin and Trautwein saw the ideal traits of an offensive lineman.
“To me, with offensive linemen, it’s typically hard to find guys with that type of length and athleticism,” Franklin said. “You know, Coach Traut and I got a chance to watch him play basketball. We were very impressed.”
But what may have impressed Franklin the most when watching Onoh’s film is his “nasty streak” that doesn’t always come second nature for a high school offensive lineman.
“That’s hard to find guys that are trying to finish guys on tape.”
Onoh will come to campus this summer after he finishes his high school basketball career. The three-sport athlete is also a standout in track and will defend his Maryland 4A state championship in the discus and shot put.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
