Underrated recruits that became great players

[Jim from Spicewood]

Neal Smith

 

[OptionBob]

Have to put Curt Warner in that group. He came from Pineville, WV from a school of less than 400 students. His own English teacher had to send clippings and letters to colleges to even get any attention for her son. Joe Paterno even admitted that Curt was not on their radar until these clippings came to his attention when she mailed them to PSU. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-07-sp-6801-story.html

Interesting story; however, Warner was a Parade All American, a distinction that would likely not qualify him as "underrated."

 

[PSUAXE70]

Harry Hamilton. Was a QB in high school I think. One of our best db’s ever. Doubt many from this board will remember him.

 

[OptionBob]

Harry Hamilton. Was a QB in high school I think. One of our best db’s ever. Doubt many from this board will remember him.

Good pick. I remember not only Harry but also brothers Lance and Darren. just chalking one up for us old timers.

 

[Nittany1865Farmer]

Interesting story; however, Warner was a Parade All American, a distinction that would likely not qualify him as "underrated."

I wonder if Warner would be considered a Parade All-American today, considering the state and smallness of the school he came from, since he wasn't getting any media push from the school.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Robbie Gould

 

[PSU1993]

I would throw Journey Brown on this list. He put up crazy stats at a small school and was fairly overlooked. Just looked it up, 51st ranked RB and 981st nationally. Shame that his career came to an end early, he was just starting to show how good he would be.

 

[WSTLion87]

Scott Fitzkee

 

[91Joe95]

Brian Milne was a big time recruit who got Hodgkins disease and every one stopped recruiting. Joe promised him the scholarship regardless, and the rest is history.

 

[Bison13]

Darryl Clark, had to go to kiski school via prop 48 to captain and mvp

 

[Pennoyer]

Jack Ham

Butler - walk on sort of to nfl career
Josh Hull - walk on to nfl career
Mcgloin - ditto

 

[Fac]

Who was the OL who was a math expert? 2 star if I recall correctly.

Lion Jim

 

[Psu-cpa]

Harry Hamilton. Was a QB in high school I think. One of our best db’s ever. Doubt many from this board will remember him.

Good one. I TA'd a class with Harry during the Sugar bowl natty year. Great guy.

 

[Bison13]

Lion Jim

@LionJim was a 5 star

 

[pamdlion]

Have to put Curt Warner in that group. He came from Pineville, WV from a school of less than 400 students. His own English teacher had to send clippings and letters to colleges to even get any attention for her son. Joe Paterno even admitted that Curt was not on their radar until these clippings came to his attention when she mailed them to PSU. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-07-sp-6801-

Although coming from a small school, Warner was a Parade All American in 1978 which was a big deal. Other notables that year included Eric Dickerson, Dan Marino and John Elway.

Warner will be 61 next month…how can that be possible? Time flies.

 

[Mr. Potter]

Robbie Gould was a walk-on

 

[LionJim]

Lion Jim

@LionJim was a 5 star

@Fac, I’m sincerely honored that you mention me here, even if it was perhaps made in jest. I have played this game with myself before and think a fair assessment is that I was a walk-on who didn’t start until his fifth season and then made Honorable Mention All-Conference, at safety.

 

[NoSoup4U]

Zack Mills

 

[PSU73]

I still remember when PSU got a commitment from Austin Johnson. The message boards were in a meltdown. Everyone was underwhelmed by the commitment. I guess Joe and LJ knew what they were doing.

Little did either know that Austin Johnson would impressively outrun everyone for a 71 yard touchdown against San Diego State.
I bet AJ talks about this play more than any in his career. He probably had sucked all the air out of the stadium by the time he reached paydirt,

 

[OptionBob]

I wonder if Warner would be considered a Parade All-American today, considering the state and smallness of the school he came from, since he wasn't getting any media push from the school.

Good question. The rise of the "star system" with Rivals, On3, 247, and ESPN has likely demoted the Parade list to secondary status.

I can't speak about how coaches cover areas in WV, but here in Texas, if a player has Warner-like skills (5-11, 180 4.4 speed) he will be noticed and recruited by the Big Dogs in the state.

I would expect Curt would attend various camps, as well, where his speed and moves would catch the eyes of coaches.

Hence, Curt's performance at camps, his high school video clips, and subsequent offers from college coaches would likely make Warner a 4- or 5-star recruit., the equivalent to a Parade AA pick.