Penn State loses Class of 2024 OL pledge as Deryc Plazz decommits
Just a few weeks after committing to Penn State while on campus for his official visit, Jacksonville (Fla.) Andrew Jackson offensive lineman Deryc Plazz has stepped back from his pledge. The three-star prospect announced the news in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the warm welcome and the opportunity you extended to me to be a part of your family. It meant the world to me,” he wrote.
“However, upon reflection, I have come to realize that I rushed into this decision without giving it the careful consideration it deserves. Choosing the right path for my future and my family is of utmost importance, and I feel it is necessary to take a step back at this time.
“I want to emphasize that this decision is not a reflection of any shortcomings on your part. Your program is outstanding, and the support and belief you have shown in me have been truly remarkable. I sincerely appreciate your understanding and want you to know that this was a difficult choice to make. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by my change of plans. I wish you continued success both on and off the field.”
Plazz was one of three commitments on June 4
Plazz’s commitment to the Nittany Lions on June 4 was a bit of a surprise at the time. It came on the heels of his first visit to Penn State and at the time he still had other visits on the schedule, including one to Miami. Plazz’s statement seemed to suggest that he was swept up in the moment. In an interview with BWI last week, he explained why he was so taken with the school.
“One thing was honestly the scenery. The scenery is way different from here in Florida. It was very beautiful there and that was one thing I loved. But the main thing was definitely the people. When you go up north, you kind of hear about how people up there are rude compared to people down south. They don’t have that southern hospitality, but that wasn’t the case at all at Penn State.
“When we got there, we had everyone giving us hugs and handshakes. One of the big things was just meeting the other recruits who were there on their visits. We were all getting to know each other. It wasn’t like I was competing against them or something like that. That really showed me the type of player Penn State recruits. Just hanging out with the other recruits, I could tell the kind of people they’re looking for. No one there had a big ego. They were all good people who share similar values to me and my family. That had a big impact on me.”
Plazz was the sixth offensive lineman to commit to the Nittany Lions in the cycle. He is a three-star prospect by the On3 Industry rankings and the No. 68 offensive tackle nationally.
