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Penn State picks up commitment No. 2 in 2024 class from linebacker Anthony Speca

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•01/17/23•

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Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic linebacker Anthony Speca. (Credit: Ryan Snyder/BIW)

It’s been nearly a year since Penn State picked up its first Class of 2024 commitment from OL Cooper Cousins. On Tuesday, James Franklin and his staff ended that drought, adding one of their top defensive targets in four-star linebacker Anthony Speca.

“I committed to Penn State because it feels like home,” Speca told BWI Tuesday morning. “It allows me to get everything I want, even outside of football. I believe in James Franklin and what the staff has built.

“I decided to commit this early because I knew in my heart it’s where I want to be, and I am blessed to be in the position I am. I’ve been a part of the process for three years now. I’ve seen a lot and been to a lot of great places, but Penn State is just special to me.”

Listed at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Speca has been no stranger to State College, visiting seven times since the summer of 2021. However, despite that, Penn State had to work for this one harder than expected for the Pittsburgh native, as Michigan was considered the team to beat throughout the spring and summer of 2022.

Things began to shift in Penn State’s favor last July, however. Instead of attending the Lasch Bash Barbecue, Speca elected to spend a personal day with the staff a few days before on July 28. The one-on-one time he got with staff that day left a strong impression.

“It was awesome. I’m so serious, it was awesome,” Speca said at the time. “It cleared up any uncertainty I had really, because I finally got to meet with [Manny] Diaz and I spent more time with [Dan] Connor. I spent a lot of time with [Connor] at the [Michigan] game, but this time it was more so in a football setting and what he’s actually like as a coach.

“I really never got to see the campus either, so that was really cool for me, too. It’s really cool compared to what I’ve seen with some other campuses. But also, the atmosphere. Being around the weight room with Coach Chuck [Losey] and everyone, and Coach Franklin and how he treated me, the atmosphere was really great. It was awesome. It blew my mind.”

Speca returned to State College in October for the White Out game against Minnesota. Michigan also got him on campus this season, but by November and December, the Lions were beginning to edge out the Wolverines.

Where exactly Penn State stood became public this past weekend following his visit for junior day.

“I’d say Penn State is the favorite now,” Speca said on Sunday. “I think the stability and the comfortability I feel there is just different. It feels like I’m at home. I’m familiar with the area. The entire time I was there, I felt super comfortable. It was just really cool.”

Speca was planning to visit Michigan and Pitt later this month, but those visits have now been canceled. Overall, he earned just shy of two dozen scholarship offers. Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Wisconsin were among the biggest schools.

According to the On3 Consensus, Speca holds a four-star rating. He ranks No. 287 nationally, No. 27 at linebacker and No. 7 in Pennsylvania for his class.

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