Key stats and quotes for Penn State football's Class of 2022
Penn State Nittany Lions football signed 23 players in its Class of 2022 on Wednesday.
The class ranks seventh in On3’s Consensus ratings as of early Wednesday afternoon.
Let’s take a look at some key statistics for each of Penn State’s 23 signees.
Allar passed for 4,444 yards in his senior season, finishing with a 60 percent completion percentage and 48 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 406 yards and nine scores. He finished his career with 9,103 passing yards and 98 touchdowns.
Medina head coach Larry Laird on Allar:
“Drew is a game-changer for our program. He’s been a big-time leader for us. He’s made himself into the prospect he is through hard work and dedication. As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better person. His leadership style is lead by example through hard work. He is a football junkie and can’t get enough of it. He’s going to be very successful at Penn State and Penn State is going to love getting to know him.”
Bacchetta’s punts averaged 40.3 yards during his senior season, and he sent 30 of his 34 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He attempted only one field goal — a 46-yarder that he made.
Westminster School kicking coach Joe Sturniolo on Bacchetta:
“Alex is a great kid. He was voted as a team captain on our team, and served as a captain on the soccer team, and he’s always willing to teach. Early in the season, when he was coming off an injury, he spent significant time teaching our younger kickers and punters. He’s constantly striving to be better and wants to be coached hard. He wants to win and contribute to the team at each position he can. He made a huge contribution to our team as a punter and kicker.”
Ivey totaled 654 receiving yards on 49 receptions during his senior season while finding the end zone nine times. He also owns the Manheim Township record for most kickoff return yards.
Manheim Township head coach Mark Evans on Ivey:
“Anthony has a tremendous ability to be an impact player. From the start of his freshman year here, he’s made big plays. He’s a very explosive, game-changing player. If he continues to work hard consistently and continues to develop, he’ll have a very bright future at Penn State.”
Durant compiled 66 tackles, 15 sacks, 28 TFLs, 38 QB hurries and four forced fumbles during his senior season at Lake Nona High School. His 15 sacks are a single-season school record.
Lake Nona head coach Anthony Paradiso on Durant:
“In my 23 years of coaching, Zane Durant is the best player I have coached. His attitude and commitment to mastering his craft is flawless. As great as he is on the field, off the field I love him like a son and I’m proud of his character and leadership. The legacy he is leaving at Lake Nona High School and the community has impacted many. He is a generational talent.”
The Gatorade National High School Player of the Year in 2021, Singleton finished the season with 2,059 yards and 44 touchdowns. He ends his career as the Berks County record holder with 6,326 career rushing yards.
Governor Mifflin head coach Jeff Lang on Singleton:
“Penn State is getting a very strong, dedicated kid who will do whatever it takes to foster a winning program. He’s a great kid. A great running back and a kid of character. He’s competitive and is going to take care of business. The way he practices and approaches the game, he shows everyone what it takes to win. He’ll have high expectations for his teammates and himself. We’ve put together great years with him on our team.”
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Pribula threw for 2,676 yards during his senior season and also racked up 33 touchdowns while achieving a completion percentage of 73 percent. He also ran for 420 yards and nine scores.
Central York High School head coach Gerry Yonchiuk on Pribula:
“This is my 38th year as a high school coach and Beau’s the best leader I’ve been around. He makes everyone around him better. He loves the chance to compete and brings something special to the position. He’s always finding ways to get better. He’s always watching film and learning how to get better — he’s a fun kid to be around. On the field, he’s a phenomenal athlete and has an ‘it’ factor.”
Winston finished his senior season with 50 tackles, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions and a pair of blocked field goals.
DeMatha Catholic coach Bill McGregor on Winston:
“KJ is an outstanding football player. He played both ways for us as a receiver and safety and returned kickoffs. He literally never came off the field. KJ was our most valuable and most outstanding player. As good as KJ is on the field, he’s an even better leader and young man.”
McNeil played in all three phases of the game at Walter Panas High School, lining up on the offensive and defensive line and as a punter. He owns the school record in the shot put with a throw of 50 feet and 11 inches, showcasing the strength and athleticism at his disposal.
Walter Panas head coach Bill Castro on McNeil:
“Maleek was a tremendous addition to our football team this past season. He was a great player for us in all three phases of the game. He dominated on both the offensive and defensive line and was also an X-factor on special teams as our punter as well as producing four blocked kicks. Maleek was an awesome teammate, always coaching and encouraging his peers. We will miss his presence next year, but he has definitely left our program better than how he found it. We can’t wait to watch him grow at Penn State.”
Cross played three games during his senior season, reeling in six catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
Rufus King High School head coach Thomas Wozniak on Cross:
“Jerry has been a great teammate and a big part of our success during his four years at King. He gave all he could at all times and I know he’ll continue that work ethic to be a great Nittany Lion.”
Shelton helped lead Downingtown West High School to district title during his sophomore season, and has earned all-state and all-area first-team selections during his high school career. He also played on the defensive side of the ball as a senior, posting 22 tackles and six fumble recoveries.
Downingtown West head coach Michael Milano on Shelton:
“Drew Shelton’s impact on our program was immediate. In 2019, as a sophomore, he became a starter at offensive tackle and was an integral part of our district championship team. His physicality helped our team break every scoring record in Chester County and finish 13-2. Drew’s character showed this past season as he helped our school and community through a tough time after the tragic loss of a teammate. His support of his teammates was key in helping all of us to heal. His example as an athlete and as a person will stay with us for a long time.”
Miller spent one season at Trinity Christian Academy, where he won a state title. In three seasons prior, he played for Fernandina Beach, where he made 56 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, broke up six passes and forced a fumble as a junior.
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Johnson brought down 40 receptions for 1,278 yards and 15 scores during his senior season at Magna Vista High School.
Magna Vista head coach Joe Favero on Johnson:
“He’s a great kid. He’s extremely talented and a pleasure to coach. He was a great leader for our team in terms of going out and being a hard-nosed football player. He’s very gifted. He brought a lot of positive attention to our program and our area. He showed our young guys that if you go out and work hard and represent yourself well, you can have the opportunity to go play at a great place like Penn State.”
Evans played all over the field at the high school level. As a senior, he played quarterback, compiling 853 passing yards, 818 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns.
Robert M. Shoemaker High School head coach Toby Foreman on Evans:
“Omari is a quality young man as well as a great football player. He’s extremely engaged and committed in the classroom. He’s just a high-quality individual. The leadership he brought to our program brought a lot of success. He’s an explosive, competitive and electric player.”
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Talley finished his senior year with 95 tackles, 20 TFLs, 12 sacks, 11 hurries, a pair of forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
Northeast High School head coach Eric Clark on Talley:
“Ken is the life of the party. He has the biggest personality. He loves having fun with the people around him from his family to his teammates and our staff and it’s contagious. He’s always got a big smile on his face. He plays with a passion that can’t be taught. I’ve never seen someone play with such passion and we’ve had great players come through our program and he’s special. I remember a play when he chased down one of the top track stars in the area to save a touchdown. He does some freakish plays on the field. From hard hits to physical plays, running sideline-to-sideline, he’s a game-changer.”
Wylie led Imhotep with nine sacks and 10 TFLs during his senior season. As a junior, he picked up 25 tackles, 12 sacks and 15 TFLs in a shortened campaign.
Dennis-Sutton missed a portion of his senior season due to injury and saw his junior year canceled. As a sophomore, his most recent full season, Dennis-Sutton posted 40 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.
McDonogh head coach Hakeem Sule on Dennis-Sutton:
“Dani is the ultimate competitor. He’s the epitome of what you get when you combine hard work and talent. His leadership on and off the field is tremendous. He’s a guy who brings it every day, despite battling through injuries, with grit and determination. He’s a dominant player in the trenches. He can take the game over at any point with his ability to wreak havoc.”
Carter completed his senior season at La Salle College High School with 78 tackles, 10 TFLs, two sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
La Salle head coach John Steinmetz on Carter:
“Abdul is one of the most athletic players I have had a chance to work with. He has incredible closing speed. He has a very high football IQ and understands the game very well. As a four-year starter for us, he could make plays from sideline to sideline. He can rush the passer or drop back and cover the middle of the field.”
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Nelson, a junior college product out of Lackawanna, started 10 games for the Falcons in the fall and helped the Falcons offense average 37.5 points per game and 4.7 yards per rush in 2021.
Lackawanna head coach Mark Duda on Nelson:
“JB’s an extremely talented athlete. He’s very twitchy, quick, long and tall. He can make blocks other people can’t make. He’s an exceptional athlete. He’s really gritty and tough and finishes blocks because he wants to finish them. He loves to learn and loves football and works well with others around him, he’s a team guy. The sky is the limit for him.”
Artis suffered through some injuries during his senior season, finishing with 2.5 sacks. In a full season as a sophomore, he was credited with 52 tackles and 19 TFLs.
Allen put together quite the senior season at IMG Academy, rushing for over 1,400 yards and finding the end zone 27 times.
Driver finished his senior season with 56 tackles and six pass breakups. As a junior, he broke up five passes and compiled 81 tackles.
Liberty Christian head coach and longtime NFL TE Jason Witten on Driver:
“I wish I could have a team of 22 Cristian Drivers. He is a well-raised kid, with a desire to be great. Penn State is getting a special player and an even better person. He has all the tools to compete at the highest levels.”
Flowers played on both sides of the football throughout his high school career. He finished his senior season with 65 tackles, five TFLs, two picks and two sacks. On offense, he caught 50 passes for 850 yards, finishing the year with 25 total touchdowns.
Central Dauphin East head coach Lance Deane on Flowers:
“Mekhi is a very humble guy. One of the best things about Mekhi is his true desire to help others, especially younger kids, and he wants to impact others’ lives. He wants to make his family proud. He made an immediate impact as a leader in our program, focusing on accountability and wanting to win and making that the standard. Overall, he’s very talented and can play multiple positions. Everything he does is physical, but he’s explosive and is always ready to make a big play.”
Saunders posted 392 receiving yards and 324 rushing yards during his senior season. The year prior, he caught 47 passes for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Westerville South High School Head Coach Matthew Christ on Saunders:
“Kaden has been a playmaker since game one of his freshman year. Kaden is an incredibly explosive and elusive football player. He has grown tremendously as a competitor, leader and student-athlete over the last four years. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and mentor him along the way! We are certainly thrilled to watch him continue his quest to become his very best at Penn State this coming spring.”
