Penn State continues recruiting hot stretch; three Lions land in ESPN three-round NFL mock draft: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for April 18 include another new Class of 2024 commitment, plus a new mock draft and more.
It’s time to dive into Wednesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with recruiting. Penn State picked up its fifth Class of 2024 commit of April when four-star Wisconsin offensive lineman Donovan Harbour picked the school over numerous other programs. So far this month, the Lions have landed two offensive linemen, two cornerbacks, and a running back. Three of them — Harbour, Florida corner Jon Mitchell, and Pittsburgh running back Quinton Martin — are four-stars, members of the On300, and top-210 players according to the On3 Industry Rankings.
Penn State now has 10 verbal commitments in this cycle. Four are four-stars, and six are three-stars. The Lions rank 10th in the On3 Industry Ranking team rankings. And, beyond that group, the team also landed four-star Class of 2025 running back Kiandrea Barker this month.
In other news, three former Nittany Lions made the new three-round mock NFL Draft complied by longtime ESPN NFL Draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., leads the way. Kiper Jr., slots him at No. 23 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Tight end Brenton Strange is the next listed Penn State player. Kiper Jr., sends him to the Miami Dolphins with the No. 53 overall pick. That is a Round 2 selection.
“I struggled a little bit with this one, Miami’s first pick of the draft,” Kiper Jr. writes. “Could it go with a running back or will it fill that need on the veteran market? I like Strange’s upside as a pass-catcher, and he is more rounded than Mike Gesicki, who left for New England in free agency.”
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3Trending
UK upsets Duke
Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
Last but not least, McShay sends safety Ji’Ayir Brown to the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 92 overall choice. That is a third-round selection.
“Cincinnati plugged the Jessie Bates III hole at safety with Nick Scott in free agency, but there are still some question marks at the position on the Bengals’ depth chart,” McShay writes.
“Watch a few minutes of Brown’s tape and you’ll be wowed by his instincts and recognition skills. I think he could move around the defense and contribute as a rookie.”
Headlines of the day
Omari Evans states his case for Penn State’s No. 3 receiver spot with impressive Blue-White showing: Flounders, PennLive
What is Penn State getting in four-star Donovan Harbour?: Commitment impact: Pickel, BWI
As Penn State Tries to Find One for 2023, a Look at No. 3 Receivers of the Past: Jones, Statecollege.com
Inside Lasch: The Latest on Penn State’s June official visit schedule: Snyder, BWI
Purdue gets commitment from Penn State CB Marquis Wilson: Dienhart, GoldandBlack.com
Penn State an outsider in early ESPN College Football Power Index: Bauer, BWI
Trade terms revealed for Pittsburgh Steelers acquisition of Allen Robinson II: Chavanelle, On3
Penn State football sends out new transfer portal offer to Group of Five defender: Pickel, BWI
Quote of the day
“The academics and staff stood out. How they treated me and broke everything down and stuff. They kept it real with me, and also the fan base. This is a great fanbase [and] school.”
–Four-star OL Donovan Harbour to On3 about why he committed to PSU.
