The Penn State Blue-White game can have a major impact on recruits; Adisa Isaac explains how
The Penn State football program has a long track record in the James Franklin era of turning Blue-White game recruiting visitors into future members of the program. Some have committed to the Lions on the spot. Others have used it as a memory point when trying to separate contending school.
Either way, it’s a safe bet that, out of the 100 or so prospects who will sit in the recruiting section of Beaver Stadium this Saturday, a handful, if not more, will eventually send a National Letter of Intent to the Lasch Building during their respective class’ signing day.
Almost every school builds its spring visitor schedule around its final scrimmage until preseason camp. It’s logical. But, what do recruits really look for when they’re on campus, and how can it help Penn State win a hotly contested recruiting battle down the road?
Adisa Isaac offered insight on that Tuesday before he competes in his final Blue-White game as a Nittany Lion. The expected first-team defensive end was once a four-star prospect and the No. 122 player overall in the On3 Industry Ranking for the Class of 2019. He did not pick Penn State over Miami and others until December 2018, but his trip to State College on an unofficial for the spring finale helped him envision how it would feel to exit the south tunnel on game day and be coached up by the assistants who were then on Franklin’s staff.
Other factors undoubtedly played a role. But, Isaac offers a strong tale of how much visiting for the spring game can be a major factor.
What does the Penn State Blue-White game show recruits?
That was the question asked of Isaac six Aprils after he drove from Brooklyn, N.Y., to State College. Plenty of time has elapsed since now and then, of course. But, the impact that visit had was easily recalled by the 6-foot-4, 248-pound redshirt senior.
The first impression comes from Beaver Stadium itself.
“Getting a little preview of what the stadium atmosphere is like [is important],” Isaac said. “Because that’s where you’re going to be making plays, and just being with Penn State most of the time. “So, just getting a feel if you can see yourself here in this atmosphere, and just get a feel for the team, the coaches, and just get a feel for everybody, the people around you, I feel like that was just the main thing for me when I came for the spring game.”
The action on the field and time spent with members of the recruiting staff is key, too.
“It was just observing everything,” Isaac said. “And seeing the older players on the field, talking to the coaches and them telling you who to look out for on the field, like who you play similar to that is already on the team, so you kind of have an idea of where you will see yourself fitting in the system. So, that kind of helps, just getting a better feel and observing everybody.”
There’s no telling which of this Saturday’s visitors will use those observations to one day pick Penn State. But, some will. It’s why when James Franklin says that having a true scrimmage is important for the fans, it’s also important for recruiting, too.
