Penn State commit signs NIL deal; Aaron Brooks makes US Open finals: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for April 28 include a NIL deal for four-star commit Quinton Martin plus a day one NFL Draft recap, a wrestling nugget, and more.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with recruiting. Four-star Penn State running back commit and Pittsburgh native Quinton Martin has a new name, image, and likeness deal with fragrance company Ovation for Men, according to Pete Nakos of On3. He was fitted with a custom suit as part of the agreement.
“It was an experience to remember,” Martin told On3. “The dude Shawn was very nice dude to work with. I got to learn more about the background and the meaning of the brand. … Once he told me more about how it’s an African-American-owned brand – that’s a big deal to me.
“I have been talking about doing an NIL deal since it came out for college ball. We’re just going to keep building and building [his relationship with Ovation] and learning stuff off from each other and just keep helping each other through the process.”
In other news, the senior division finals are set at the US Open. Defending NCAA champ Aaron Brooks will face top-seeded Zahid Valencia in Friday night’s 86-kilogram final. The winner moves on to face former Penn State great and Olympic gold medalist David Taylor at ‘Final X’ in June. Whoever comes out of that on top will represent the United States at Worlds later this year.
Two other former Lions will face each other in a different US Open final. Jason Nolf and Vincenzo Joseph wrestle in the 74-kilogram title bout for the right to face fellow NLWC member Kyle Dake at ‘Final X.’
Finally, for this section, former Lions Joey Porter Jr., and Will Levis did not hear their names called during Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft despite expecting to do so.
Headlines of the day
What Happened With Penn State’s Joey Porter, Jr. at the NFL Draft?: Wogenrich, SI
Resetting the Penn State hoops roster with new additions: Bauer, BWI
Washington’s gamble on NFL Draft could prove telling: Giger, DKPittsburghSports
On3 Scouting Director Charles Power opens up about new Penn State OL commit Eagan Boyer: Snyder, BWI
Nittany Lions Add Georgetown Transfer Center: Jones, Statecollege.com
Trimmings: Penn State tracking SEC transfer cornerback: Fitz, BWI
2023 NFL Draft: Will Levis , Joey Porter Jr. and Hendon Hooker among best prospects available on Day 2: CBS Sports
Quote of the day
“Honestly, I think when you look at what Penn State’s doing on the offensive line, I’m very bullish on Phil Trautwein’s evaluations and the way he’s building that room. I think you could look up in a couple of years and Penn State has a potential Joe Moore award type of offensive line room with a lot of high draft picks in it. They’ve recruited the position really well the last couple of cycles.”
–On3 scouting director Charles Power to BWI about PSU’s offensive line recruiting in the Class of 2024.
