Penn State football: Which Class of 2023 signees will enroll early?

Penn State coach James Franklin reminded numerous members of the program’s Class of 2023 of a very important fact on Wednesday: Their arrival is only 16 days away as of the early national signing day on Dec. 21, 2022.

Over the course of the last handful of years, the number of freshmen who enroll early with the Lions has grown. Nine players did so a year ago. Seven did in the class before that one. This year, 11 of the 22 players who signed in December intend to be on campus for the start of the spring semester in January.

There are numerous benefits for players who can come to campus early. They get a jump start on adjusting to all parts of college life, from living in a dorm to taking college classes and adjusting to life away from home. Then, there is the football of things. January enrollees get to start working with the program’s strength staff, which is led by Chuck Losey, immediately to get ready for spring practice. And, it’s there where the work on the field and in the meeting room can lay the groundwork for opportunities to see the game field come the fall. Of last year’s nine January enrollees, five burned their redshirt and seven played in at least one contest.

Here is who is enrolling early this year.

Penn State Class of 2023 January enrollees on offense

OL Alex Birchmeier — One of three offensive lineman who will enroll early, Ashburn, Va., Broad Run standout Birchmeier is a four-star in On3 Consensus recruiting rankings. He stands 6-foot-5, 285 pounds. A two-time team captain, Birchmeier ranks is ranked as the No. 50 player overall and No. 3 interior offensive lineman in this cycle. Birchmeier was named to the All-Loudon County first team and earned first-team Washington Post All-Metro honors. A two-time Virginia state wrestling champ, Birchmeier has a nasty streak that college coaches desire and advanced technique and fundamentals.

OL Anthony Donkoh — The lone three-star offensive lineman, Donkoh stands 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. The Aldie, Va., Lightridge blocker was a three-time team captain in high school. He allowed just one sack in three varsity seasons, according to Penn State Athletics, and was a three-time team MVP. The On3 Consensus rankings call the nation’s No. 535 player overall and the No. 47 interior offensive lineman.

TE Joey Schlaffer — Schlaffer is a legacy recruit. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect from Reading, Pa., Exeter Township is the brother of former Lions letterman and lineman Michal Menet. A four-star in the On3 Consensus rankings who is the No. 21 tight end, he was a three-time all-state selection. Schlaffer holds Berks County all-time records in receiving yards (2,493) and receiving touchdowns (28). He hauled in 38 passes for 879 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. And, he also rushed for 246 yards and three touchdowns.

More: Penn State Football National Signing Day Central

QB Jaxon Smolik — James Franklin called Smolik the “steal” of this year’s quarterback class. From Meter, Iowa Dowling Catholic, Smolik’s stock dipped due to an injury as a junior. He was once committed to Tulane but reopened his recruitment and eventually landed with the Lions. An On3 Consensus three-star recruit, Smolik impressed evaluators at the Elite 11 finals last summer. He stands 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. He was an Iowa Class 5A all-state pick as a senior after completing 64 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards and 19 touchdowns.

OL Jven Williams — Williams is the head of the Penn State Class of 2023. He is a five-star by On3 and a four-star in the On3 Consensus rankings who is listed as the No. 35 player overall and top interior offensive lineman. On3 calls him the No. 6 player regardless of position in his class. Williams is 6-foot-5, 290 pounds. He was the  2022 Lancaster Lebanon Conference Player of the Year and the All-Berks County Lineman of the Year as a senior after guiding Reading, Pa., Wyomissing High to numerous successful seasons. He was also a track and field standout, winning state titles in the shot put and discus events.

Lions Class of 2023 January enrollees on defense

Ath. Mathias Barnwell — Barnwell was introduced as a tight end but projects as a lineman, likely on defense, at the next level. He committed to Penn State twice during the recruiting process. But, his second pledge stuck for good. And, he was then a frequent visitor to State College and helped build the top 20 signing class. He is 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and was a team captain as a senior for Fredericksburg, Va., Riverbend High. He made 21 catches for 349 yards and four touchdowns as a senior and earned all-state honors.

CB Lamont Payne — Carnegie, Pa., Chartiers Valley three-star corner Lamont Payne was a team captain and Class 4A all-state pick as a senior. He had 43 tackles and four interceptions as a senior and also contributed on offense, where he made 19 catches for 380 yards. He stands 6-foot, 185 pounds.

LB Ta’Mere Robinson — An injury kept Robinson off the field for most of his junior season and all of his senior slate. But, he was always one of the Lions’ top targets. An On3 Consensus four-star, he stands 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Depending on how he grows, the defensive line may be in his future one day. But for now, he’s a linebacker, and is ranked as the No. 21 player at his position overall.

LB Tony Rojas — Rojas was the Washington Post All-Metro Player of the Year on offense, even if his future in college is at linebacker. The senior at Fairfax, Va., High standout rushed for 2,239 yards and 35 touchdowns and also racked up 281 receiving yards and two receiving TDs as a senior. On the other side of the ball, Rojas made 72 stops (14 for loss), 13 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four pass breakups. He is the definition of a well-rounded prospect who may be able to contribute early. An On3 Consensus four-star, he sits inside the top 100 overall. He is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds.

More: Which Penn State Class of 2023 signee was announced first during early signing day on Wednesday?

CB Zion Tracy — Tracy played a prep season at St. Thomas More in Connecticut before committing to Penn State. He stands 5-foot-11, 175, and is from Hempfield, N.Y. He is an On3 Consensus three-star who carries a four-star ranking from On3. Tracy has had success on both sides of the ball to date. But, he will start his time at Penn State on defense.

CB Elliot Washington — A former Alabama commit from Venice, Fla., Washington is an athletic corner who is an On3 Consensus four-star who is inside the top 150 nationally. A multi-year high school starter and contributor, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound prospect made 36 tackles and had eight pass breakups and four interceptions as a senior. On offense, he totaled 86 rushing yards, 73 receiving yards. And, on special teams, he racked up 602 kick return yards and 127 punt return yards. His speed is a major weapon.