Legacy OL Carroll checks out Penn State
Growing up, Glenside (Pa.) La Salle Class of 2025 offensive lineman Michael Carroll was plenty familiar with Penn State. His father, also Mike, played linebacker for the Nittany Lions in the mid-1990s. On Saturday he returned to Happy Valley as a recruit to take in the team’s home opener against Ohio. Penn State came away with a comfortable victory and Carroll was impressed.
“My favorite visit experience I’ve had so far,” he said of the trip. “The environment, the energy, the coaches. Everything was perfect.”
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound sophomore has yet to pick up a scholarship from the Nittany Lions, but he’s firmly on the radar of his father’s alma mater. He got a chance to interact with a handful of Penn State staff members while on campus on Saturday.
“I talked to coach [James] Franklin, coach [Phil] Trautwein, coach Terry [Smith], coach [Ja’Juan] Seider and a lot of others,” he said. “They were really excited that I came up. They were happy to see me and my family, especially since my dad played linebacker there. They said that they were very interested in me.”
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Carroll’s athletic pedigree comes from more than just one Big Ten school, as his mother played basketball at Michigan State. He grew up a fan of the Nittany Lions and cited Saquon Barkley’s time at Penn State as the outset of his fandom. Now a prospect, Carroll camped for the staff over the summer and got a chance to work one-on-one with Trautwein.
“I did very well at the PSU camp. I ran a 5.3 40 and the offensive line coach told he wanted me to send him my first three games and said I’m definitely one of the top guys in the Class of 2025,” he said. “I really enjoyed [working with Trautwein]. He’s a great coach and has great knowledge since he played in the NFL. He gave me so many pointers and tips that I use in games that have helped me a lot. I learned the most at the Penn State camp than any other camp.”
The elder Carroll told his son that the Nittany Lions were in good hands moving forward.
“It’s a greatly run program and will be good this year and for years to come,” said Carroll.
So far Temple is the lone scholarship offer for Carroll, but Cincinnati, South Carolina and Wisconsin have expressed interest. The Owls offered after a camp back in June and Carroll also camped at Virginia Tech in early June.
