Penn State loses quarterback commit as Marcus Stokes flips to Florida
Penn State football is down a Class of 2023 verbal commitment.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., quarterback Marcus Stokes took to social media on Thursday to announce that he was flipping his commitment from the Lions to Florida. The news was unexpected, as Stokes just was at the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles, Calif., and showed no signs that his future was uncertain.
The Lions are now down to 15 pledges in this cycle. And, more importantly, they are down the only passer they had committed.
Stokes makes a statement on social media, and to On3
Stokes announced his flip from the Big Ten to the SEC on social media. He did so while still sporting a Twitter cover photo Penn State of him and his family in Lions gear at Beaver Stadium while also still calling himself a PSU commit.
However, the image will surely change by the time you read this and the description will, too.
“First and foremost, I am very grateful for all of the opportunities to be able to pursue my dream of playing football at the collegiate level,” Stokes wrote on Twitter. “I would like to thank penn state [sic] for supporting me, loving me, and showing the same to my family. This decision was not the easiest to make.
“After taking time talking with my family and staying up late nights listening to my heart…I will be flipping my commitment to the University Of Florida! #GoGatorsl*”
Stokes also detailed his choice in a conversation with On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
“Ever since me and my family moved to Florida, we all agreed not to leave,” Stokes said. “Florida is home and has always treated me and my family well. If things are going great, why leave?”
“Also, I believe in what coach [Billy] Napier and the whole Florida staff is doing, and I want to be a part of it.”
Impact on Penn State
The decision comes as an obvious blow for the Lions. After a momentous June, they have yet to land a commitment in July. And, Stokes was seen as a key piece of the class and someone who offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich identified as a priority early on.
According to the On3 database, Penn State extended 11 scholarship offers in this cycle so far. However, at this stage, all of them are either committed elsewhere. Or, they have On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine results that do not include the Lions.
