In Penn State recruiting news, things have drastically changed over the last month for Javier Etheridge.
Despite having a productive junior season for Mount Healthy High School in Cincinnati, Ohio— 45 catches for 705 yards, nine touchdowns, 55 tackles and two interceptions— Etheridge wasn’t receiving a ton of college interest.
That all changed Jan. 17 when he received his first Power Five offer from Pitt. Since then, the offers have continued to come in with the latest coming Tuesday night from associate head coach, defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and Penn State.
Etheridge has also collected offers from Akron, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, UMass and West Virginia.
Etheridge told Nittany Sports Now that he gets more motivated the more offers come in.
“I grew up dreaming about all of this,” Etheridge said, “so, yes, it’s exciting. Now, I’m going to have a chance to play major college football, be on national television and most importantly, make my family proud.”
When Etheridge was waiting for the offers to start coming, he stayed patient and positive.
“I was just self-motivating myself knowing that this all would happen one day, and I will get a shot eventually,” he said. “I just kept that hunger in me.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Beyond blessed to receive An offer from @PennStateFball 💙🤍 thanks too @CoachTerryPSU @CoachJMStevens @coachjfranklin @AllenTrieu @MohrRecruiting @EdOBrienCFB @336Edits pic.twitter.com/5eHFBoasyF
— Javier “JayJay” Etheridge ⭐️ (@thatzJayjay_) February 7, 2023
Etheridge said he had a “great” conversation with Smith.
“He treated me really well,” Etheridge said. “He told me great things about how they could develop me as a player and wants me to come up to one of their Junior Days.”
Etheridge said the position Penn State’s recruiting him to play is “up in the air.”
“I believe they’re offering me and looking for me to play wide receiver but I’m not sure,” Etheridge said. “I believe my strength is one offense and getting the ball in my hands.”
Etheridge said he has scheduled a visit to Penn State March 18.
“Other schools that I’m talking about going to see are Toledo, Pitt, Rutgers, USF and Ohio State,” he said. “I’m trying to visit there with one of my teammates, I’m getting some interest from them.”
