STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State's official visit weekend has come and gone, giving the Nittany Lions one final chance to sell prospects on Happy Valley, or to seal the deal for the Lions' verbal pledges who were on hand.
The early signing period kicks off Dec. 20 and with the staff intact, except for a running backs coach which can't be added until January when all staffs are allowed to add a 10th assistant, Penn State shouldn't have many surprises coming down the stretch. The Lions' 2018 class, ranked No. 5 in the nation per 247Sports, is at 20 members and is still vying for the services of big-time recruits, many of whom were on hand this weekend.
As per usual, Penn State's official visit weekend is a logistical challenge for all involved, but with no crazy winter weather in town this weekend Penn State dodged what can sometimes create an interesting challenge. With the players and their families getting treated to a visit to town, complete with photo opportunities in Beaver Stadium, a stop by Penn State hockey, a trip to the Lion shrine, a visit to Holuba Hall to check out a Fiesta Bowl practice and plenty of meals and entertainment, several prospects and their families provided their own updates of their visits on social media. The Beaver Stadium lights and scoreboards were seemingly on around the clock as well to try and show off the massive venue from any spot around town.
Five-star defensive end Micah Parsons won't announce his college choice until the morning of Dec. 20, making Penn State and everyone else wait to figure out where he'll head. Parsons was on campus this weekend and tweeted that he enjoyed his official visit. Will it be enough for the Lions to land him or will he eventually be photoshopped out of these 2018 class photos that were taken during the visit? I suspect Penn State will use these photos during the team's signing day celebration, which really could be held at any point given the 72-hour window starting on the 20th that players have to sign. This will likely take a lot of the hype out of the usual signing day in February, but we'll have to see how many spots in the class remain open after the new early signing period.
As for the visits, here's some of the reaction from the prospects:
Unreal official visit with my guys. Tight End squad about to go crazy the next 4 years ?? #weare18 pic.twitter.com/MSVg3h5EHG
— Pat Freiermuth (@pat_fry5) December 10, 2017
As long as we in the trenches my QB and RB ain’t getting touched ?‼️....Best Class in the Nation? #WeAre18 pic.twitter.com/g5LK1sG7ii
— Nana Asiedu (@BigNana_) December 11, 2017
MY Heisman Trophy winner @saquonb21 ? pic.twitter.com/I6kPVAwPaZ
— Will Levis (@will_levis) December 9, 2017
A group you don’t want to play with... #LBU #WeAre18 pic.twitter.com/1mhOakal4b
— Nick Tarburton (@NickTarburton40) December 11, 2017
Sorry to interrupt your Sunday night. #WeAre looking for your Quarterback. Have you seen him? #WildDogs pic.twitter.com/9MQeA7etKn
— Aeneas Hawkins (@AeneasHawkins) December 11, 2017
Final Meeting of OV ⚪️???????♨️???⭐️?? pic.twitter.com/kPdLZTeRA4
— Janton (JD) Shorter Sr. (@jd_shorter44) December 10, 2017
QUICK HITS
• Running back pledge Ricky Slade was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Virginia on Monday. Slade capped his high school career with 1,978 yards rushing on 179 carries this season -- a whopping 11.1 yards per carry -- and also scored 35 total touchdowns.
• The Nittany Lions held their team banquet Sunday night where they handed out several awards. Saquon Barkley was named the team's MVP, while Marcus Allen was named MVP of the defense and Trace McSorley was the MVP for the offense.
The full rundown of awards includes:
• Lions’ Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award (greatest career contribution to Penn State Football) – linebacker Jason Cabinda and wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton
• Captain’s Award: Allen, Barkley, Cabinda, Tyler Davis, Grant Haley, Hamilton, McSorley, Nick Scott
• Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship"): Troy Apke, Andrew Nelson
• Dick Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman): Brendan Mahon
• Bob Mitinger Memorial Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility): Josh McPhearson, Haley, Torrence Brown
• Reid-Robinson Award (outstanding defensive lineman): Parker Cothren
• John Bruno Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams): Blake Gillikin
• Tim Shaw Thrive Award. Awarded to the student-athlete who has overcome adversities and been an inspiration to his fellow teammates: Tyrell Chavis
• Iron Lion Award (strength and conditioning). Awarded to the player who demonstrates the cornerstone of the Penn State Football strength and conditioning program -- intensity and consistency: Hamilton
• Outstanding Run-on Award: Tom Pancoast, Billy Fessler
• Quarterback Club Special Awards: Saeed Blacknall, Christian Campbell, Curtis Cothran, Mike Gesicki, Davis
• Football Letterman’s Club Joe and Sue Paterno Post-Graduate Scholarship: Brandon Smith
• The Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award (senior with highest GPA): Smith
• Highest Academic Average: Gillikin
• Public Service Award: Charlie Shuman
• Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year: Jonathan Sutherland
• Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year: Desi Davis, Jason Vranic
• Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year: Josh McPhearson, Des Holmes
• Penn State will hold their on-campus bowl media day on Friday. James Franklin will meet with the media at 10:45 a.m. and will be followed by all three of Penn State's coordinators. This will mark the first time newly appointed offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne and special teams coordinator Phil Galiano will meet with the media. Select players will meet with the media as well and then the Lions will open up part of Friday evening's bowl practice to the media as well. Look for plenty of coverage to follow.