Western Pennsylvania will be putting a high number of Power Four recruits over the next three recruiting classes, and that’s potentially good news for Penn State.
Associate head coach and defensive recruiting coordinator Terry Smith has had recent success pulling high level recruits from the WPIAL.
Aliquippa 4-star running back Tiqwai Hayes, Latrobe 4-star linebacker Alex Tatsch, Imani Christian 4-star linebacker Dayshaun Burnett, North Catholic 4-star tight end and Central Catholic 3-star cornerback Xxavier Thomas have already joined Penn State’s Class of 2025.
One of the many young talented players in the WPIAL is Zachary Gleason Jr. from Chartiers Valley High School.
This was a big week for the freshman defensive back as he received an offer from Pitt, which became his first Power Four offer.
Today, Gleason will be one of the many players on State College today attending Penn State’s prospect camp. NSN talked with Gleason who explained his goals for today.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.”Entering the camp , I hope to show the coaches that I am a very technical corner and can play the ball very well,” said Gleason. “I am very advanced for my age. I can take advice from a coach and apply it right away. I try to limit the amount of mistakes. I want to show that I can cover any type of wide receiver in the slot or outside.”
A couple years ago, Penn State landed former Chartiers Valley 4-star defensive back Lamont Payne and it goes without saying that Gleason is hoping to become a top target of Penn State.
“I love Penn State. I’ve been coming to games for a while since they’ve been recruiting me and it’s just a different type of vibe being at Penn state for games. The coaching staff and Coach Terry always treat me well when I’m up there and they treat me like I’m a player. It feels good going up to PSU.
“I feel as if my stock is going to rise with how much work I will continue to put in,” said Gleason. “A Penn State offer would mean so much to me if they were to offer. It’s really my dream school to be honest. I’ve always seen them on tv and loved watching Joey Porter Jr and Dequan Hardy play. My family loves PSU and have been fans for so long. If Penn State would offer my family would be ecstatic.”
