Recruiting Wrap-Up: Week 11

Story posted November 12, 2013 in CommRadio, Sports by Matt Lawrence

Following the commitments from 3-star tight end Mike Gesicki and 3-star running back Johnathan Thomas, Penn State has eight remaining scholarships to distribute to the class of 2014.

Head coach Bill O’Brien and the rest of the Nittany Lions’ staff have been out scouting potential prospects over the past few weeks. Let’s take a look at some of the names still on the board and who may be next in line to receive scholarship offers. All rankings are according to Rivals.com

Four-star DT Thomas Holley 6’4, 300 lbs (Brooklyn, New York)

The nation’s number three-ranked defensive tackle made headlines last week when he dropped Ohio State, following a meeting with head coach Urban Meyer. Many believed that the Buckeyes and Penn State were the two leaders for Holley’s services and with Ohio State now out of the picture, the Nittany Lions appear to be firmly in the driver’s seat.

Holley may make a final trip to Florida, but all indications point to a Penn State commitment in the coming weeks. For a team that is in desperate need of help across the defensive front, Holley has a legitimate chance at seeing playing time next season for the Nittany Lions. It would also be the second head-to-head recruiting victory for O’Brien over Meyer. Gesicki was always a Buckeye lean, until he committed to Penn State, following his official visit for the Michigan game.

Four-star DT Derrick Nnadi 6’1, 300 lbs (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Penn State sits in interesting position with the Rivals250 defensive tackle. Nnadi had the Nittany Lions near the top of his list in the summer, before Penn State began to back off in their recruitment. But with the additional scholarships, Penn State has gotten back in touch with Nnadi and appears to making great strides once again.

He was in attendance for the Michigan game and recently visited Virginia Tech. Many believe the Hokies lead, but the Nittany Lions still sit in a good spot and could be a dark horse, if they are able to get him back on campus for the Nebraska game.

Four-star Melvin Keihn 6’3, 220 lbs (Baltimore, Md)

Keihn is one of the fastest growing prospects in the country. Penn State was late to the party and didn’t offer a scholarship until October 14, but Keihn recently released a top five of Maryland, Miami, Virginia Tech and Virginia, as well as Penn State.

He’s taken official visits to Maryland and Virginia and will visit Tech this weekend. The Nittany Lions will need to get Keihn on campus to have a realistic chance, but Keihn is definitely a name to keep an eye on. Keihn is initially from Africa, so the success of Tamba Hali may play a factor as well.

Three-star S Shawn Boone 5’10, 174 lbs (West Palm Beach, Florida)

Boone is another new name on the Nittany Lions radar and another guy that received a scholarship after the NCAA gave back scholarships to the Penn State program. Despite offering numerous prospects from the sunshine state over the past two years, O’Brien has yet to land a player from the state of Florida but Boone may change that.

All signs have been positive for the Nittany Lions and he will take his official visit for the Nebraska game. Arkansas, Maryland and Ole Miss appear to be other likely destinations.

Four-star JUCO OL Jermaine Eluemunor 6’6, 300 lbs (Scranton, PA)

Eluemunor has undoubtedly had one of the more bizarre recruitments of the 2014 class. The Lackawanna Community College offensive tackle is currently committed to Texas A&M, after initially committing to UCLA. He’s a guy that seems to be infatuated with every school he visits and many believe that he won’t sign with the Aggies.

Penn State was in touch earlier in the year before his commitment to UCLA, but it now appears that O’Brien and the staff is doing all they can to get him on campus one last time. Eluemunor provides a college-ready lineman that the Nittany Lions need. If they can get him on another visit, Penn State could make a late push for Eluemunor’s services.

Matthew Lawrence is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism and economics. To contact him, email mdl030293@gmail.com.