Watch: Penn State adds freaky athlete defensive tackle Yvan Kemajou
Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes caps a strong summer of recruiting by adding another defensive tackle to the Class of 2025. On the first day of Nittany Lions training camp, the team gained a commitment from three-star interior defender Yvan Kemajou out of Paint Branch, MD. Recruiting insider Ryan Snyder sits down to discuss Kemajou’s path to Penn State and what ultimately led to his decision.
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Academics important to Kemajou
One thing that Snyder stresses during the conversation about Kemajou is the 6-3 defender’s interest in academics. It’s a significant reason why the decision came down to Penn State, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, and Duke. Snyder discusses his conversations with Kemajou and what he knows about why the timeline played out the way it did. After all, most players typically commit shortly after their official visits, instead of waiting until the end of July.
We discuss Kemajou’s fit in the Penn State program and what sort of person he is, now that Snyder has gotten to know him a bit better.
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“A typical Penn State defensive tackle”
The Nittany Lions certainly have a type when it comes to defensive linemen. The program prefers excellent athletes at both edge defenders and on the interior, over size and power players. At 240 pounds, Kemajou fits that bill. However, we discuss the Maryland native’s growth potential and how Penn State is betting on the upside his frame shows with critical length and growth indicators. We also highlight his movement skills for a future defensive tackle.
Snyder watched Kemajou up close this spring at the Under Armour camp in Baltimore and came away with one impression, but his thoughts changed after seeing the new Penn State commit up close at one of the team’s recent camps. He explains how his size and growth trajectory all line up positively.
Finally, we discuss Kemajou’s three-star rating and if he can potentially outplay that moniker once he’s developed in the Penn State weight program. Check out the video for the complete conversation and insight.
