Recapping offensive lineman Drew Shelton's path to Penn State
Penn State fans, the following story appears in Blue White Illustrated’s upcoming Class of 2022 recruiting magazine. It features over 70 pages of analysis, bios and superlatives on the most recent class. You can order today at BlueWhiteOnline.com.
In offensive lineman Drew Shelton, Penn State landed one of its most important prospects in the 2022 cycle.
The staff got the job done early with the in-state prospect, securing his verbal commitment on September 4, 2020.
“Well, there were two things for me,” Shelton said at the time. “Who wouldn’t want to win a national championship for your home state? That was one thing for me, as well as really connecting with a bunch of their coaches. Coach [Ty] Howle, Coach [Phil] Trautwein and Coach [James] Franklin all built good relationships with me. We really had a great connection, so I figured if I already knew what I wanted to do, why wait it out?
“I’ve thought about it for a good amount of time now. I didn’t really think it would happen so soon, but about a week or so ago, I realized that I wanted to make this happen –I just knew it was the place I wanted to be. I saw campus a couple weeks ago. Seeing that for my own eyes, I realized that it was a special place.”
After Shelton’s commitment, though, some uncertainty lingered about his future.
He took an official visit to Florida the following June, which was reportedly a “thought-provoking” experience. But Shelton ultimately settled on becoming a Nittany Lion following a Penn State official visit a week later.
“Coach Franklin told me that I’m a leader of this class and that I’m a big part of their peer recruiting,” he said. “Guys aren’t going to take me as serious when I’m still shopping myself around, especially compared to someone like Kaden [Saunders], who shut it all down.”
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Locking down Shelton’s commitment for good was of massive importance for the Nittany Lions, who are still looking for sustained success along the offensive line after another difficult season in 2021.
A four-star recruit, Shelton is the No. 130 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 according to the On3 Consensus. He’s the No. 10 offensive tackle and the No. 3 prospect out of Pennsylvania, having transferred back to Downingtown West after a period at IMG Academy in Florida.
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Shelton totaled 22 scholarship offers, picking Penn State over the likes of Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon and Michigan.
The two visits he took to Gainesville and Happy Valley were the only officials he used before ending the process definitively.
Listed at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, he’s one of three offensive linemen in Penn State’s freshman class, joining highly-rated junior college transfer JB Nelson.
Shelton received an invitation to play at the 2022 Under Armour All-American game. He led Downingtown West to a league title during his sophomore season, and another 11-2 year as a freshman.
He picked up an All-Great Lakes team honor as a senior. Shelton also played on defense as a senior, making 22 tackles, recovering six fumbles and forcing one of his own as well.
“Drew Shelton’s impact on our program was immediate,” his head coach at Downingtown West, Michael Milano, said. “In 2019, as a sophomore he became a starter at offensive tackle and was an integral part of our district championship team. His physicality helped our team break every scoring record in Chester County and finish 13-2.”
