Less than 24 hours before the early signing period begins, Penn State has landed a commitment from a blue-chip tight end that had been committed to another Big Ten program.
It’s Brian Kortovich, a four-star from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder also has offers from schools such as Purdue, Illinois, Indiana and Northwestern.
Kortovich committed to Purdue in June but a lot has happened since then. Purdue has maybe the worst season in the history of its storied program, going 1-11 with its only win being over FCS Indiana State. This performance led to the head coach that Kortovich committed to play for, Ryan Walters, being fired.
Now, it looks like he’s Penn State bound.
WHY PENN STATE?
Kortovich announced his commitment less than 72 hours after he saw Penn State pounds Maryland, 44-7 on Senior Day to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Between the game and the commitment, Kortovich talked with On3Sports about his visit, calling the Beaver Stadium environment “awesome.”
“Obviously with it being Thanksgiving weekend and the weather, the stadium wasn’t as packed as usual,” he said, “but it did not disappoint.”
Even though it was just one weekend, Kortovich is excited about the people he began to get to know.
“What continues to excite me is just the relationships I’ve built in one weekend whether it be with the coaches, the staff or the players,” he said.
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“I know Penn State develops tight ends very well and I could definitely see myself being a part of this program,” Kortovich said.
TEU
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Tyler Warren
Penn State was already developing a knack for quality tight end play before position coach Ty Howle returned to his Alma Mater. In James Franklin’s first six seasons, Mike Gesicki and Pat Freiermuth became stars and today are NFL regulars. But under Howle, that reputation has intensified.
First it was Brenton Strange, who became a star over the 2021 and ‘22 seasons. Strange is now with Jacksonville. Current New York Giant Theo Johnson was Penn State’s No. 1 tight end last season.
Now, Tyler Warren is the man, and if you don’t know what Warren has been doing, you haven’t been paying attention to Penn State football.
Warren will be out of eligibility after this season but, as hard as it may be to believe, Penn State just might be ok without him. Five-star Luke Reynolds is already seeing playing time as a true freshman and Andrew Rappleyea, who unfortunately has missed almost all season with an injury, is another blue-chipper.
We also can’t forget about Khalil Dinkins, who is getting a lot of playing time and has impressed Franklin and the staff with his blocking.
“We’re recruiting the best tight ends in the country,” Franklin said, “we’re developing the best tight ends in the country. It’s a competitive room, you have to embrace that. And then you just look at what’s happening after they get done. embrace that. Then, you just look at what’s happening after they get done playing at Penn State. They’re all getting their degrees, and they’re all getting drafted, and the majority of them are getting drafted very high.”
The early signing period is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning and run through Friday
