9 things to know about Penn State football's 9 enrollees starting classes today
Penn State welcomes nine members of its Class of 2022 to campus today.
The Nittany Lions have routinely had a high number of January enrollees during the James Franklin era. This year is no different as the program looks to find fresh faces to either start or play key roles at numerous spots while also replenishing depth that can be developed as time goes on.
“The early enrollee thing continues to grow for us, which I think is a positive when the situation fits the family and the high school,” head coach James Franklin said in December.
“So overall, we’re excited about this.”
Here are nine things to know about the group.
Penn State early enrollee things to know: One through five
One early enrollee is the top player at his position according to the On3 Consensus rankings: five-star running back Nick Singleton. He’s from Shillington, Pa., Governor Mifflin, and is the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Two of the arrivals played high school football in Florida. Four-star defensive tackle Zane Durant is from Lake Nona while Kaytron Allen plays at IMG Academy but is from Norfolk, Va.
Three position groups have multiple January enrollees. Those are quarterback (Drew Allar and Beau Pribula), running back (Kaytron Allen and Singleton), and receiver (Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders).
Four the number of all-star game participants coming to town in this wave. Allen and Saunders played in the Under Armour All-American game. Allar and Singleton were at the All-American Bowl.
Five the number of On3 Consensus stars for two of the newcomers. Singleton is one, and the nation’s No. 30 player. Allar is the other. He’s No. 24 overall and the second-ranked Consensus passer.
Things to know: Six through nine
Six of the newcomers are four-stars: Receiver Kaden Saunders, running back Kaytron Allen, corner Cam Miller, tight end Jerry Cross, defensive lineman Zane Durant, and quarterback Beau Pribula.
Seven equals roughly the number of weeks these new Penn State players have between their arrival and their first spring practice. It goes without saying that seeing this group in the Blue-White game will be worth the price of parking outside Beaver Stadium.
Eight of the early enrollees come from the high school ranks. The ninth is Lackawanna College tackle JB Nelson.
Nine of 23 Class of 2022 signees are now on campus:
Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula
Running back Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton
Tight end Jerry Cross
Receivers Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders
Guard JB Nelson
Defensive tackle Zane Durant
