Penn State to host four-star West Virginia commit Rodney Gallagher Saturday
Penn State football will host a Class of 2023 receiver committed elsewhere this weekend. Current West Virginia commit and four-star Uniontown, Pa., Laurel Highlands receiver Rodney Gallagher tweeted Monday that he will be in State College for the Lions’ meeting with Michigan State.
It was not immediately clear if the visit was an unofficial or an official. The difference is that Gallagher must pay for the former while the latter would be a 48-hour trip on Penn State’s dime. Blue-White Illustrated will update this post once that information is confirmed.
Gallagher committed to the Mountaineers on May 25. Penn State was a major player before that. He visited the Lions five times. However, his only all-expenses-paid trip was to Morgantown. When he picked the West Virginia, he said it was a ‘final decision’ in an interview with On3. But, there is much speculation about WVU coach Neal Brown’s future at the school, which may have played a role in this decision to visit head coach James Franklin’s program.
“My head was everywhere, so I sat down, broke everything down, and figured it out,” Gallagher told On3 in May. “I looked at the rosters, my relationship, the campus, how I fit, my chances at the next level, and I went through so many steps, and West Virginia is the school.
“I made the final decision about five or six days ago. Once I really looked at everything, I knew it was West Virginia, and I knew I was ready.”
Whether that will continue to be the case, however, remains to be seen. But, the visit at least confirms that Penn State is back in the door, and then some, with the nation’s No. 248 player and No. 3 receiver according to the On3 Consensus rankings. He is an early enrollee.
Penn State wants another receiver
Penn State wants another receiver in the Class of 2023. The Lions are down to just one, Virginia four-star Carmelo Taylor, after New Jersey four-star Ejani Shakir decommitted on Sunday night. Gallagher would be a terrific addition to an already top-15 Lions Class of 2023. He stands 5-foot-9.5, 165 pounds.
“Do-it-all athlete with a penchant for making big plays with the ball in his hands,” an On3 scouting report says. “Plays all over the field for his high school on both sides of the ball, but projects as a slot receiver long-term. Has a smaller build and frame, at 5-foot-9.5, 165 pounds with a 29-inch arm. Played quarterback as a junior, rushing for 1,130 yards and 21 touchdowns. Shows the ability to rip off long runs with the ball in his hands.
“Has high-end quickness and change of direction. Toggles speeds in the open field. Has lateral agility to make defenders miss in space. Has a background as a top youth basketball player, which aids in ball skills and winning at the catch point. Quicker than fast with top-end speed being a question in addition to his size.”
Blue-White Illustrated will have a full list of confirmed recruiting visited for the game later this week.
