Jonathon Walton, LB: The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Linebacker is the newest member of Linebacker U. Walton is from Daphne Alabama and committed following his official visit to PSU this weekend. He reportedly ran a 4.5, 40-yard dash which intrigued defensive coach Ted Roof. He is 2-star prospect by Rivals and unrated by ESPN.
Reaction: Seems like an underrated prospect. Good size and speed for the LB position. He’s from Alabama and should be playing some pretty good competition down there. I believe LB coach Ron Vanderlinden can develop him and we may look back on this in a few years a steal.
Zayd Issah, ATH, LB: Zayd, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound ATH originally committed to PSU and was the #1 OLB on their board. Then the sanctions hit and he decided to re-open his recruitment. It was said to be between Oregon and PSU, but after his official visit to PSU this weekend, he pledged his commitment to O’Brien and the staff. Issah is a 3 star ATH by Rivals and ESPN.
Reaction: Great get for the coaching staff. Everything I’ve read about this guy has been good. Apparently a really high-motor type of guy and a winner. The coaching staff sees him as a guy that can be similar to Gerald Hodges. Not bad, eh?
Anthony Smith, CB: A 6-foot-1, 180-pound CB is a postgrad student at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA. Smith was also on the official visit this weekend with his father and was offered a scholarship while meeting with O’Brien. He committed Sunday and will enroll in January. His scholarship will count against the 2012 class. Smith is unrated by both Rivals and ESPN.
Reaction: He seems like an unknown guy. Don’t know too much about him, but at the very least he should help provide depth at the CB position.
DaeSean Hamilton, WR: Hamilton is a 6-foot, 185- pound prospect who entertained offers from the likes of West Virginia, Miami, and Michigan State. Following his official visit, Hamilton decided to join the 2013 class and gives the Nittany Lions their first WR of the class. Hamilton is a 4-star recruit by ESPN and 3-star by Rivals.
Reaction: Huge get. Gives Hackenberg a talented WR in the class to go with the #1 TE in the country, Adam Breneman. This offense has the potential to be scary for years to come.
This recruiting class is really coming together and it seems like it’s tight group of guys. It’s a special class and O’Brien is doing a great job filling needs, while getting talent.
What to look for: JUCO stud QB Jake Waters was on an official visit to Kansas State over the weekend and O’Brien will be at his house today. He will decide between the two in the next few days. From everything I have read and heard, my gut feeling is he will be a Nittany Lion. It would be the ideal situation. He would count against the 2012 class and enroll in January. He would have two years of eligibility, giving Hack some time to learn O’Brien’s complicated playbook/give him two years of eligibility for bowl games.
Ps. Something about that official visit must have been awesome to get four guys to commit right away…
Pps. Follow our friend and PSU grad @BWISnyder for PSU recruiting news.
