New Recruiting Prediction Machine entry for Penn State
Penn State is off to a strong start in its Class of 2023, with eight players already committed.
The offensive line is a particularly strong position, with four players already on board. That includes five-star Jven Williams, from Wyomissing, Pa., and top 30 prospect Alex Birchmeier, from Ashburn, Va.
However, my latest pick in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine is actually for the Class of 2024.
The Nittany Lions already hold one commitment in that class from Erie, Pa., offensive lineman Cooper Cousins. A four-star player, Cousins committed back in January after taking three visits to Penn State total.
On the other side of Pennsylvania, Malvern Prep offensive lineman Peter Jones also makes sense to end up at Penn State. That’s why he’s my latest pick to end up a Nittany Lion.
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Listed just under 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, Jones camped at Penn State last summer and put together a strong workout. That put him on the staff’s radar, and after a strong sophomore season, he earned a scholarship offer in January. Most importantly, he grew up a Penn State fan.
“Growing up as a Penn State fan, and thinking one day I want to play for this team, has definitely made this more special,” Jones told Blue White Illustrated’s Greg Pickel after earning an offer in January.
Despite being just a sophomore, Jones already holds 15 scholarship offers. Michigan became the most recent school to make that move on Thursday. Other Power Five programs include Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Pitt and Virginia.
With Penn State being the only school he’s visited so far, Jones is in no rush to announce a commitment any time soon. He also has a host of schools showing interest who haven’t offered yet. That includes Notre Dame, as Marcus Freeman and his staff are hoping to get Jones on campus in April.
Despite that, this recruitment sets up well for Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who’s already been able to build a relationship with Jones and his family.
“I learned a lot about his coaching style and what he wants out of his O-lineman,” Jones said about Trautwein following his January visit. “Coach Trautwein also stressed the importance of your dedication and hard work and mental toughness. What really made an impact on me was when he said, ‘it doesn’t matter if this guy is smarter or more talented than me. If I give it my all and outwork them, I’ll beat them, talent alone only goes so far.’”
