Penn State adds Top 100 DL Liam Andrews to Class of 2024

Penn State’s Class of 2024 added one of its most important recruits Friday morning in Massachusetts defensive lineman Liam Andrews. Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Andrews initially emerged as one of PSU’s top offensive line prospects in the class, earning an offer in Jan. 2022.

He then visited State College three times in the months that followed, the first of which was for a spring practice in March. But it was when he returned in June to camp with the staff that Andrews cemented himself among Phil Trautwein’s top offensive line recruits in the class.

However, after visiting Penn State again in November for the season finale against Michigan State, Andrews started to have second thoughts when it came to his position, informing schools after his season that he’d prefer to play defensive tackle. When Andrews also elected to visit a handful of schools not named Penn State in the spring of 2023, it felt as if the Lions may be fading.

Fortunately for James Franklin and his staff, they were able to convince Andrews and his family to come back to State College in mid-April. That proved to be arguably his most important visit. Not only was Penn State able to show him why he’d be an excellent defensive tackle in its system, but it also gave them an opportunity to compare themselves to the schools he just visited: Clemson, Florida, Miami, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

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Andrews ultimately elected to take three official visits this summer. The first of which was to Penn State from June 2-4. He followed that up with an official to Wisconsin, June 9-11. South Carolina, LSU and Miami were all in the mix for official visits down the stretch, but he ultimately decided to just check out South Carolina, June 16-18.

Over the past few weeks, the Gamecocks proved to be Penn State’s primary competitor. However, in the end, PSU’s staff’s consistency throughout his entire recruitment played a major role in his decision.

“The decision was very tough,” Andrews told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Each of my final three schools are great programs with great people. Near the end of my recruitment, it was very tight between Penn State and South Carolina. Penn State won out after I took a break from talking to coaches and did some real thinking.

Andrews went on to add, “I chose Penn State because of the feeling I get when I step on campus. It just feels at home. The people there are also exceptional and really care about you. I have great relationships with many of the staff members and even some players. Their scheme also fits my play style very well. They move their [defensive] tackles around a lot and have them play aggressively, which is perfect for me.”

His relationship with new defensive line coach Deion Barnes also played a role.

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“Coach Deion is a big reason in my decision to commit to play for Penn State,” Andrews said. “He’s a younger coach but when you really look at his track record, there is nothing to say that he can’t or won’t be successful like some of the older and what many people would consider more ‘established’ [defensive line] coaches. He has received coaching from a well-respected DL coach in Larry Johnson and was pivotal in developing NFL players like second-rounder Arnold Ebiketie.

He went on to add, “I want to be the best defensive lineman Coach Deion has ever coached and am looking forward to him pushing me every day.”

Andrews is now the 23rd player to join Penn State’s Class of 2024. He’s ranked No. 61 in the nation by On3 and is now the fourth-ranked athlete after he was switched from offensive lineman earlier this week. The On3 Industry Rankings, which combines On3 with 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, has him at No. 85 nationally.

“When I think about Penn State, I think about tradition,” Andrews said. “In their facility, they honor their history and tradition, which includes plenty of All-Americans, four Big Ten titles and two national titles. It’s time to add some new hardware to that list.”