For hundreds of football players Wednesday marks the end of one long journey and the start of another. Signing Day has arrived, a chance to celebrate the hard work that has gone into a potential collegiate football career and an opportunity to look towards the future.
In its second year, an early signing period allows recruits to get the process over and done with far sooner than before. No more phone calls, no more visits, no more pestering from coaches at all hours.
Effectively it has turned today into the new Signing Day with plenty of recruits jumping at the chance to move on and away from the tiring recruiting process.
Of course it only marks the start of the journey. Plenty of high profile prospects won’t pan out or quiet match the hype, and just as many underrated players will exceed expectations.
It makes for an interesting day to look back on years from now, to see what worked and what didn’t, which players became household names and which ones fans never really got to know.
Penn State’s 2019 haul is currently 17 players deep with two quarterbacks, two skill position players and host of linemen and coverage players. The class is ranked the third best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and a massive Michigan that brings in 25 commits. Fifteen of Penn State’s commits are four-stars.
How will it all work out in the end? Only time will tell, but Wednesday marks the start of the story.
Here are a few things to know about all 17 players.
Brandon Smith (ILB)
What to know
- Five-star inside linebacker.
- Rated the second best linebacker in the class and the best in the state of Virginia.
- The 25th best prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.
Caedan Wallace (OG)
What to know
- Four-star offensive guard from Princeton, NJ.
- At 295 pounds he’s the second heaviest player in Penn State’s class.
- Only one of two players from New Jersey in this class.
Adisa Issac (DE)
What to know
- Verbally committed to Penn State earlier this week.
- Comes in at six-foot-five which ties him with Shareef Miller, Yetur Gross-Matos and Jayson Oweh for the tallest DE on the roster.
- From Brooklyn NY.
Devyn Ford (RB)
What to know
- Rated the fifth best running back in the class.
- From Stafford VA.
- Same height as Miles Sanders at 5-foot-11 but 20 pounds lighter.
John Dunmore (WR)
What to know
- The four-star prospect hails from Florida, the farthest south of any player in the class.
- Rated the 21st best wideout in the 2019 class.
- Committed to Penn State this past July.
Lance Dixon (LB)
What to know
- Recruited to play outside linebacker.
- Rated the fifth best linebacker in the state of Michigan.
- At six-foot-two he’s as tall as current starter Jan Johnson but 33 pounds lighter.
Tyler Rudolph (S)
What to know
- Rated the third best safety in the state of Connecticut.
- His six-foot-one stature makes him taller than seven of the nine safeties on Penn State’ current roster.
- Overall, 16 of the 17 players slated to sign on Wednesday are six feet and above.
Michael Johnson Jr (QB)
What to know
- From Oregon, Johnson Jr traveled the farthest of any Penn State commit to call Happy Valley home.
- He is rated the eighth best quarterback in the nation and the best in the state.
- He’s one of two quarterbacks in Penn State’s 2019 haul.
Saleem Wormley (OG)
What to know
- At 318 pounds Wormley is the biggest prospect in Penn State’s class.
- The four-star prospect hails from Maryland.
- He’s rated the best offensive guard in the state and the 16th best in the nation.
Taquan Roberson (QB)
What to know
- The second of two quarterbacks in the class, Roberson’s ranking as the ninth best in the 2019 haul gives Penn State’s two top 10 quarterback prospects.
- At six-feet even, Roberson is slightly shorter than Johnson Jr who comes in at six-foot-two.
- The Wayne, NJ native has a much shorter trip from home too than Oregon.
Keaton Ellis (CB)
What to know
- The State College native is the latest Little Lion to make his way up the street to Beaver Stadium.
- Ellis played both safety and receiver in high school and was a playmaker on both sides of the ball.
- Also had offers from Buffalo and Syracuse.
Hakeem Beamon (DE)
What to know
- The Virginia native is rated the 23rd best defensive end in the class but still picks up a four-star rating.
- Committed last June.
- Picked up an offer from Alabama.
Joey Porter Jr (CB)
What to know
- Son of the Steelers’ great Joey Porter.
- Rated the fourth best corner in the state of PA.
- At six-foot-two he would be tied for the tallest coverage man on Penn State’s current roster.
Anthony Whigan (OT)
What to know
- The Scranton native is rated the best offensive tackle in the state
- He’s rated the 10th best junior college prospect in the 2019 class.
- Had offers from schools like Louisville and Cincinnati.
Marquis Wilson (CB)
What to know
- The Windsor, CT native is the fourth best corner in the state.
- Committed back in May.
- Was recruited by Alabama by former Penn State’s receivers coach Josh Gates.
Brenton Strange (TE)
What to know
- The West Virginia native is rated the fifth best tight end prospect in the class.
- He comes in at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds.
- Was also recruited by Ohio State.
Jaquan Brisker (S)
What to know
- Another Scranton native, the three-star Brisker is rated the third best safety in the state and the 27th best junior college prospect in the nation.
- Comes in at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds.
- Committed two days before Marquis Wilson did.
