Penn State adds defensive tackle Tyriq Blanding to Class of 2023

Penn State picked up its second commitment in the month of June Friday evening with the addition of defensive lineman Tyriq Blanding. A native of New York City, Blanding earned an offer from the Nittany Lions in mid-February. He then took an unofficial visit in March before returning for an official visit last weekend. That was all the 6-foot-2, 265-pound pound interior lineman needed to see, canceling an upcoming official visit to Michigan.

“I chose to commit to Penn State because it’s close to home. That was a big thing,” Blanding said. “It’s actually closer than Syracuse and they were also in my top schools. But I have a really good relationship with the coaches. I’m really close with Coach [John] Scott and Coach Deion [Barnes]. I’ve been talking to them like two or three times a week, and I also like [Alan Zemaitis] and Kenny [Sanders]. They’re all cool guys. Of course, Coach [James] Franklin, too.

“But I just really like the environment there. When I got to really see Penn State, it left a good impression on me. I wouldn’t say I’ve really been to Penn State until this last trip. I’ve been around Penn State but really seeing it this last time, I learned a lot. I thought it was just a bunch of farmland, but it’s not like that. [Downtown] is great. The campus is great. It’s the right place for me.”

Blanding actually called Penn State to confirm his commitment a few days ago. He said he informed Scott first, who then put him in touch with regional recruit Stacy Collins before he spoke with Franklin.

“I committed like a day or two after my official visit,” he said. “But even before I took my official visit, I had people in my ear. Not just [the coaches], but people at my school, some of my family. I had a lot of people telling me that Penn State was the way.”

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In addition to Scott’s personality, Penn State’s consistency in producing defensive prospects played a big role in Blanding’s decision.

“Coach Scott has a great personality. I really like his personality and my mom really likes him,” he said. “I would say that he and all their coaches really talked to me. They showed me the players they’ve developed, too. Penn State really puts out some good defensive players, year after year after year. They know how to develop players. I would say that’s a big thing for me. I want to develop as a player.”

Blanding said that in addition to Penn State and Michigan, Oregon, Syracuse and West Virginia were the other schools he seriously considered. He had the strongest relationships with the staffs at Oregon and Michigan, but the distance from home played a factor. He also liked Penn State’s group approach.

“At Michigan, I was mainly talking to Coach [Mike] Elston and Jim Harbaugh,” he said. “I really liked their coaches, but at Penn State, I was talking to their whole coaching staff, including Manny Diaz, all of them. So, I felt like Penn State really showed how interested they were in me. They showed they wanted me more.”

Blanding went on to add, “One thing I discussed with my coach, too, was that, Penn State is pretty stable. Coach Franklin just signed a new deal. Manny Diaz just signed a deal and they don’t think Coach Scott is going anywhere. But, even if Coach Scott did leave, Coach Deion is there and he’s a great coach. So, it fits for me.”

Blanding is currently commitment No. 13 for Penn State after offensive lineman Josh Miller switched his commitment to Georgia earlier this week. He’s the third defensive linemen to commit, joining Jameial Lyons and Mathias Barnwell. Barnwell will also likely be a defensive tackle, while Lyons will be an edge rusher.

With this commitment behind him, he said he plans to help in Penn State’s recruiting efforts. In fact, Blanding is actually traveling back to State College tomorrow for an unofficial visit so he can spend time with the top prospects on campus, as well as those who have already committed.

But there are also a few players in and around New York City who he plans to recruit.

“A couple of my friends have Penn State offers. I’m close with Moussa [Kane] and he’s still available, so I’ll definitely be on him,” Blanding said. “Another friend is Shamir Fredericks at Canarsie. I definitely want to get him into the family.”