Although it’s rarely talked about, it definitely takes some luck or good timing to have a chance to land a recruit.
That very well could end being the case with Xavier Lherisse and Penn State.
Lherisse is a 2026 four-star defensive back — a top 200 national recruit — from Melbourne, Fla. and holds over 40 offers. Being from Florida, Lherisse didn’t have any immediate plans to visit Penn State but that suddenly changed, and he’s glad it did.
“My mom had a work trip in Washington, D.C., and my dad told me that it was only three hours away, so we decided to go and make a stop there first,” Lherisse told NSN. “The visit was really cool. Coach Poindexter came to my school during the school year, but I really didn’t have a relationship with the coaches or talk to anyone. But, when I went there yesterday, I talked to every single coach on the coaching staff. They were super cool people to talk to and they were all telling me about how they wanted to continue to build the relationship with me. So, I was really glad I went and was able to get there for the first time.”
My guy @AdamBreneman81 wasn’t lying, Penn State is SPECIAL. Thank you @coachjfranklin and @Coachpoindexter for the hospitality 🔵⚪️. #Weare @EauGallieHC @mannylherisse @QNHall_Uno_JTG @FAMUBBG7532 @EGCoach_Ramos @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @cphat0421 pic.twitter.com/Kk9fXsUT9k
— Xavier Lherisse (@XavierXEL11) June 12, 2024
Being that it was his first time in State College and the first opportunity to communicate in-person, James Franklin and his staff obviously did their best to showcase the university, the football program and the culture. But, despite seeing so many impressive things, none of that was what stood out most to Lherisse.
“Really how close the Penn State players and coaches are,” Lherisse said. “It was very clear to me that they’re like family to each other and have a very tight bond. Coach to coach, coach to player, it’s crazy how tight it is.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“When we talked football, they were just telling and showing me the type of defense, they run there. They showed me that in their defense, I could really play anywhere on the field as a defensive back, which was cool. I talked a lot to Coach Poindexter, Coach Franklin and Coach Allen. They were all telling me how my game is incredible, and they’ve never seen anything like it. They were trying to show me how Penn State would be a tremendous fit for me. Coach Franklin was really trying to get to know me, and Coach Allen was telling me how Penn State is and how do things.”
Sophomore SZN✅https://t.co/NdmFmppSDN @EauGallieHC @QNHall_Uno_JTG @EGCoach_Ramos @FAMUBBG7532 @mannylherisse @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @SWiltfong247 @On3sports @247Sports
— Xavier Lherisse (@XavierXEL11) December 11, 2023
Some of the top programs that have extended an offer to Lherisse include Clemson, Alabama, Oregon, Ole Miss, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Pitt, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin. With the caliber of schools pursuing him, it’s becoming clear to Lherisse that trying to pick a school is going to be very difficult.
“Yes, I’m really starting to realize that,” Lherisse said. “I haven’t really started to think about finalists yet, but my parents are starting to push me about that and getting me to start thinking about it. It’s crazy to think about how many top schools want me and are pushing for me. I really have no idea where I want to go yet.”
Lherisse told NSN that his upcoming visits will include Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
