POLL: Penn State's Best Ever 3-Star Recruit?

[Midnighter]

Something fun to ponder as we look forward to spring ball and the Blue White Game. Some absolute heroes on this list, noting there were many that are out there who could/should of made this list but didn't because of my own personal bias/judgment. So, please feel free to submit write-in's as you see fit.

We'll take your top three votes. I used the Rivals rankings going back to 2002. I did not include anyone still on Penn State's roster. Criteria is totally subjective - impact to Penn State, stats, great pro career, awards, etc. Have at it.


1. Paul Posluszny, Linebacker - 2003

2. Tony Hunt, Running Back - 2003

3. Darryl Clark, QB - 2004/5

4. Sean Lee, Linebacker - 2005

5. Evan Royster, Running Back - 2006

6. Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver - 2011

7. DeSean Hamilton, Wide Receiver - 2013

8. Marcus Allen, Safety - 2014

9. Trace McSorley, Quarterback - 2014

10. Joey Porter Jr., Defensive Back - 2019

 

[BobPSU92]

Be right back.

 

[Midnighter]

Be right back.

 

[PSUJam]

Just in their college career, I'd go Poz then Lee second. It's tough to not put JPJ up there but when a corner is that good they rarely get thrown at. He'll be our first CB ever taken in the first round of the draft and only first rounder from this list.

 

[Midnighter]

Just in their college career, I'd go Poz then Lee second. It's tough to not put JPJ up there but when a corner is that good they rarely get thrown at. He'll be our first CB ever taken in the first round of the draft and only first rounder from this list.

McSorley all time 2nd PSU passer, Hamilton all time 2nd PSU receiver, Allen played in 49 games - only 5th PSU player with 300+ tackles (more than Onkotz, Buttle, and Conlan).....

 

[psykim]

Amazing that they all were 3 star recruits. Now in terms of college, Poz won award as national defensive player of the year TWICE and sure belongs I believe in college football hall of fame. Amazing that we had non 3 star Conner (now PSU analyst) ,3 star Poz, and 3 star Lee on the field as Lbers at the same time!!All 3 I believe are all time great PSU Lbs. So I have a hard time overlooking Poz-who started playing in 2004 as a true freshman and the team was LOUSY. Next year we were much improved. So I go with Poz.
BUT sure want to celebrate when JP Jr. becomes first PSU CB to be drafted in first round.

 

[PSU Mike]

Went with Poz over Lee. There’s a sort of scholarship efficiency - the percent of your total roster time spent on the field - that I think is underrated in football, and I think that was the tiebreaker for me.

 

[psuno1]

Glad they all played as PSU a lot less wins without them.

 

[PSUJam]

McSorley all time 2nd PSU passer, Hamilton all time 2nd PSU receiver, Allen played in 49 games - only 5th PSU player with 300+ tackles (more than Onkotz, Buttle, and Conlan).....

Brisker was also a 3 star out of JUCO but that's kind of a different animal.

 

[LionJim]

Glad they all played as PSU a lot less wins without them.

Lol, sometimes a simple post hits it out of the park. Me, every last one of these guys deserves my vote.

 

[Woodpecker]

Lol, sometimes a simple post hits it out of the park. Me, every last one of these guys deserves my vote.

Yet you didn't vote for all of them? Some still have no votes.

 

[LionJim]

Yet you didn't vote for all of them? Some still have no votes.

I did try to vote for all of them.

 

[udsig91]

I think Poz and Lee are no brainers. The third vote is a tough one.

I went with Royster, all time career leading rusher. My runner ups for the third vote were Trace, A-Rob and/or DeSean.

Great poll!

 

[Nits1989]

I feel that Trace was the most important recruit on that list. His spark, determination and play were a huge part of PSU's success from 2016-2018. Those teams put PSU back in the conversation.

 

[Midnighter]

I feel that Trace was the most important recruit on that list. His spark, determination and play were a huge part of PSU's success from 2016-2018. Those teams put PSU back in the conversation.

Poz and Hunt were a part of the incredible 11 man 2003 class that helped dredge PSU out of it's worst stretch in history. What game was it (Indiana?) that Poz made a critical fourth down stop late in the game to preserve a win? That was a massive inflection point for the program.

Don't disagree much about Trace - huge, huge recruit it turned out.

EDIT: This is the game I was talking about (his stop was on 2nd down; Derek Wake made the fourth down stop):

 

[NittanyBuff]

If we are talking college only, has to be Trace.

 

[cac@PSU]

I selected Lee. I saw him play BB, he just a super athlete on the court, and played with grit.

 

[Thorndike2021]

Poz then Robinson

 

[WillyMO]

McSorley all time 2nd PSU passer, Hamilton all time 2nd PSU receiver, Allen played in 49 games - only 5th PSU player with 300+ tackles (more than Onkotz, Buttle, and Conlan).....

I'm a huge stat junkie but find it tough using stats with more recent players with the additional games and seasons. Same with the NFL adding an additional regular season game. Throws everything out of whack, lol.

 

[psuro]

The best ever 3 star recruit is the backup 3 star quarterback.

 

[Midnighter]

The best ever 3 star recruit is the backup 3 star quarterback.

Paul Cianciolo!?

 

[psuro]

Paul Cianciolo!?

Or Matt Nardillilo.

 

[razpsu]

Poz without a doubt out of these choices. No one is even close.