8 things to know about new Penn State commit Andrew Rappleyea
Andrew Rappleyea is the newest member of the Penn State football Class of 2023.
The tight end who is from New York but plays his high school football in Massachusetts flipped to the Lions on Sunday. It marked the program’s first commitment of April and the third of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Nittany Lion.
1. How it started
Penn State was not the first school to offer Rappleyea. However, it was involved in his recruitment very early on. The Nittany Lions offered and hosted him last September. Their relationship only grew from there.
“I’d say [Penn State] is doing the best with me,” Rappleyea told On3 last December. “But I wouldn’t say they’re the team to beat.
“[I’m looking for] Somewhere where I can develop in the position fully. I feel that i’m an all-around tight end. I like to hit people and catch passes, most tight ends like to do just one.”
2. Who else was involved?
Obviously Michigan was. The Wolverines had Rappleyea’s commitment until Sunday.
Besides the two Big Tens schools, others who were in the mix included Ohio State, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Boston College, and Wisconsin.
3. Path to picking Penn State
As noted above, Penn State lost out on Rappleyea’s first commitment. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound four-star picked Michigan on Jan. 16. His choice came only after it seemed like the Lions were filled up at tight end.
However, that began to change.
Virginia four-star Mathias Barnwell was listed at the position but is now considered an athlete and lineman. Neeo Avery, then, is a four-star tight end from Maryland who now plans to play defense in college. He decommitted from Penn State a week ago.
So, that all left the Lions with just one tight end commit in Joey Schlaffer. Penn State wants two in this cycle, however. So, it circled back to Rappleyea, who was still interested. Just one final unofficial visit, which happened last weekend, was all it would take from there for PSU to secure Rappleyea’s pledge.
4. Rankings and accolades
Rappleyea is a four-star in the On3 Consensus. Both On3 and Rivals rank him as a four-star, while 247Sports seems him as a three-star. ESPN does not yet have him rated.
5. He said it
BWI’s Ryan Snyder caught up with Rappleyea to discuss his latest recruiting decision.
“I feel like I know everyone at Penn State,” he said. “I’ve talked and texted with just about everybody. [James] Franklin texts and calls my parents twice a week. I probably had three or four meals with them when I visited, too. I felt like I really got to know everyone there. It was a no-brainer.”
6. Penn State Class of 2023 commitment timeline
April 3, 2022: Andrew Rappleyea, a four-star tight end from New York, commits.
Feb. 5, 2022: Jven Williams, a five-star offensive lineman from Pennsylvania, commits.
Jan. 28, 2022: Anthony Donkoh, a three-star offensive lineman from Virginia, commits.
Dec. 31, 2021: Neeo Avery, a four-star tight end from Maryland, commits. He then decommitted on March 27.
Dec. 20, 2021: Joshua Miller, a three-star interior offensive lineman from Virginia, commits.
Oct. 23, 2021: Joey Schlaffer, a four-star tight end from Pennsylvania, commits.
Sept. 19, 2021: Lamont Payne, a three-star cornerback from Pennsylvania, commits.
Sept. 25, 2021: Mathias Barnwell, a four-star athlete from Virginia, commits.
July 15, 2021: Alex Birchmeier, a four-star interior offensive lineman from Virginia, commits.
7. How the Penn State Class of 2023 breaks down by position
A look as of April 4, 2022
Offensive line — 4
Tight end — 2
Cornerback – 1
Athlete – 1
8. How the Penn State Class of 2023 breaks down by state
Virginia — 4
Pennsylvania — 3
New York – 1
