Penn State commit Andrew Rappleyea opens up about decision

If there’s one thing new Penn State commit Andrew Rappleyea and his family learned over the past couple of months, it’s that the sport of college football is very much a business.

Relationships, academics and so much more are important parts, but when you’re going to play at the highest level, in front of 100,000 people on fall Saturdays, there’s a massive business aspect to all of this.

Back in November, Rappleyea, who grew up in New York but now plays at Milton Academy in Massachusetts, almost ended his recruitment. After taking his second unofficial visit to Penn State on Nov. 23, Rappleyea seriously considered committing, but he also didn’t want to rush it. Elite programs up and down the East Coast were showing more interest, so he decided to take his time. After all, he still had a full year until he could sign. 

Fast-forward to Christmas time and he was seriously considering it again, but with a few players already committed at the position, Penn State’s coaches found themselves in a tough position. Joey Schlaffer and Mathias Barnwell were both planning to play the position at the time, but the real issue came on New Year’s Eve, as another highly coveted player, Neeo Avery, committed to Penn State that evening. 

“Coach [Ty] Howle was very sincere about the situation, but they were pretty much full,” Rappleyea said. “They asked me to be patient as they talked some things out, but I ended up being impulsive and committed to Michigan.”

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Rappleyea committed to Jim Harbaugh and his staff on Jan. 16. He even asked Penn State to stop communicating with him. Howle respected his wishes, but when a change in Michigan’s coaching staff took place – Jay Harbaugh, who recruited Rappleyea, moved from tight ends to safeties – it opened the door back up.

“Coach Howle explained to me the changes that had taken place, and that Mathias was probably going to focus on defensive tackle now. He said Neeo was probably going to be a defensive end. So, he pretty much made it clear that I had a spot now,” said Rappleyea.

Throughout his recruitment, Rappleyea has done his research every step of the way. This final decision would be no different, so he decided additional visits would probably be best. He and his family took those visits over the past three weeks, first returning to Penn State on March 19. He then went to Michigan, March 24, before finishing with a trip to Boston College yesterday, April 2.

Returning to Penn State gave him the opportunity to not just spend time with Howle, but the entire coaching staff. PSU’s group approach in recruiting played a massive role in swaying Rappleyea to the blue and white.

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“I feel like I know everyone at Penn State,” he said. “I’ve talked and texted with just about everybody. [James] Franklin texts and calls my parents twice a week. I probably had three or four meals with them when I visited, too. I felt like I really got to know everyone there. It was a no-brainer.”

But make no mistake, the relationship with Howle was the biggest reason Rappleyea will end up playing for the Nittany Lions.

“With the recruiting process, he’s very respectful,” Rappleyea said. “He’s also very passionate about what he does. He loves football, it’s so obvious. He’s determined to build the best room. He really goes after his recruits. A lot of people are very direct with the players, but Coach Howle talks to your whole family. He’ll talk to your grandmother, your mother, your siblings, everybody.”

With Rappleyea on board, Penn State is now done at the tight end position. He and Schlaffer are both firmly committed. They will still pursue Avery, who just decommitted a week ago, as a defensive end. Only time will tell what happens there.

“There’s something about Happy Valley that feels like home,” Rappleyea added. “It seems to happen to a lot of people. They go there and fall in love with it.”