Penn State hosting two top cornerback targets from Florida

On3 imageby:Sean Fitz03/31/23

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Penn State is hosting two of its top cornerback targets on campus this week as Florida teammates Jon Mitchell and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter made the trip to Happy Valley. It’s a multi-day trip for the pair and the second time that each has been on campus. 

Mitchell and Belgrave-Shorter were both at Miami earlier this week and each has an extensive offer list. Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith was one of the first to come through with an offer for Mitchell back in September and he followed with an offer for Belgrave-Shorter in January. Both visited for the Nittany Lions’ White Out win over Minnesota in October. 

The 5-11, 175-pound Mitchell is the No. 145 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He’s the nation’s No. 15 cornerback and the No. 21 prospect in Florida in the cycle. Mitchell has visited Florida State twice this year and was at Notre Dame last weekend. Penn State is currently slotted at the top of the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for Mitchell. 

The 6-foot, 175-pound Belgrave-Shorter also went to Florida State in January and he took two visits to UCF last year. The Golden Knights currently sit atop the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine in that recruitment. Belgrave-Shorter is a three-star prospect by the On3 Industry Rankings. He checks in as the No. 607 prospect nationally and the No. 52 cornerback in the country. 

Mitchell and Belgrave-Shorter are a priority for Penn State

BWI’s Ryan Snyder caught up with Mandarin defensive backs coach Cavonte Campbell in February to break down both prospects. Campbell accompanied both on their trip to Penn State this week. 

“Both of those guys have the prototypical size these days, with the long arms, the speed, and everything like that,” said Campbell. “If I had to differentiate them a little bit, I think both guys are physical, but AJ has a bit more of a college body already. Jon Jon will fill out and get there soon. He comes from a very athletic family. Jon Jon has three older brothers and they all played Division I football, so he has great genetics.

“So, I’d say AJ is a bit more physical. He’s a great tackler in space. Whenever I need him to get it done, AJ gets it done. I think his tackling is very impressive for a cornerback. With Jon Jon, I’d give him maybe a slight advantage with his hips. But even then, they’re both excellent there. There’s not much I can really say they need to improve on. They’re both incredible tacklers. They both have great ball skills, but if I had to give them an edge anywhere, I’d say AJ is a bit more physical, while Jon Jon has a bit more of that long-range speed.”

Cornerback is a priority for the Nittany Lions in the cycle. Despite already holding a commitment from in-state three-star Kenny Woseley, Penn State is still looking to add multiple corners to the room ahead of the 2024 season. Daequan Hardy, Johnny Dixon and Storm Duck are all seniors on the 2023 roster and junior Kalen King is already projected to be one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Mitchell and Belgrave-Shorter both are expected back at Penn State for official visits in June. 

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