Commit Video: Penn State adds promising project in safety Antonio Branch
If you’re a member at Blue White Illustrated, you knew this one was coming at some point soon, but the news finally broke on Wednesday night. Penn State football landed four-star safety Antonio Branch out of Florida. The 6-2 safety prospect chose Penn State over Louisville and other southern schools to give the team a solid addition at safety.
We broke down Branch’s fit with Penn State and the journey he made to join the Nittany Lions. Check out the video on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel or here on the site.
Branch eager to be a Nittany Lion
Penn State recruiting insiders Ryan Snyder and Sean Fitz discuss the recruiting story for Branch, an under-the-radar player from Booker T. Washington High School in Florida, and how he ended up at Penn State. Find out how eager Branch was to join the program with such little in-person contact with State College.
We’ll discuss how Anthony Poindexter landed the position of project player and how his recruiting ranking may not accurately reflect his position and potential at Penn State. Currently, On3 lists Branch as a corner, thanks to his 6-2, 175-pound frame. Despite that, Branch plays safety for his high school team and will play that position for Poindexter.
However, Fitz brings up an interesting point about starting Branch at cornerback for a specific reason. We debate the merits of that and how his underpowered frame could blossom in Penn State’s weight program. Could that turn Branch into an all-around player? We discuss that, plus the other traits in his highlight film.
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Penn State secondary filling up
Branch was the second player to commit to the secondary this week and the third this month. Mater Die cornerback Daryus Dixson started the run in June when he surprised everyone, committing to the Nittany Lions shortly after his official visit.
Four-star New Jersey cornerback Jahmir Joseph made a similar decision after his June 15 official visit weekend. The class started last December when Pittsburgh Central Catholic cornerback Xxavier Thomas committed to the program the day after Penn State’s 2024 December Signing Day.
The Nittany Lions will try to lock up the last parts of its defensive back class in the coming weeks. Top cornerback prospect Brandon Finney remains uncommitted and will visit Maryland this weekend. Beyond Finney, four-star safety JaDon Blair and three-star riser Braswell Thomas take their official vistis to Penn State this coming weekend to close out the June period.
