Video Recap: Penn State double dips at receiver with Peter Gonzalez and Josiah Brown
Penn State football went from zero to 60 in three days at receiver in the Class of 2024. Wide receivers coach Marques Hagans double-dipped at the position on Friday night when both Peter Gonzalez and Josiah Brown committed to the Nittany Lions.
Brown, a long-standing recruit for the Nittany Lions, committed to Penn State in a regional battle over Rutgers. Meanwhile, Gonzalez earned his spot with the Nittany Lions the old-fashioned way.
Host Thomas Frank Carr and recruiting insider Ryan Snyder discuss both players and break down each recruiting journey and player profile in today’s video.
Make sure you don’t miss special double-features like today by subscribing to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube. After all, according to Snyder, Penn State isn’t done adding receivers.
“So two more wide receivers, three total now for Penn State, and I think you’re looking at least one or two more, but we’ll get into that down the road.”
Brown stays in the region by committing to Penn State
We’ll start with Brown, the New York native that chose between Penn State and Rutgers, despite Georiga trying to get into his recruitment late.
“He’s taken 12 visits to Penn State, and Rutgers is taking three or four visits elsewhere. You know, and then it’s like pretty much one to each school. So it’s always felt like he’s going to stay in the region,” Snyder explained.
The 5-11 athlete has a track background which is a huge positive for the Penn State coaching staff. Despite that, he’s not a track athlete, according to T-Frank.
“I want more receiver clips because half of the time, you’re looking at him as a safety. So he’s not just a track player. That means he’s willing to hit and go over the middle and get hit. He’s a good route runner, or at least has good potential when you factor in his tools.”
Peter Gonzalez earns it
Snyder, who has a strong relationship with plenty of Penn State prospects and recruits, says that Gonzalez stands out because of his journey. Gonzalez tore his ACL during the offseason before his junior season and had to work his way back.
“Peters easily becomes one of my favorite guys in this class, just personality and character leadership. Like, I mean, he’s going to be great in the locker room. He’s going to be a fan favorite, without a doubt. And then, you know, just a guy who’s really earned it,” Snyder explains.
“The injury scares a lot of schools. And, you know, Peter says, you know, screw this. I’m gonna go out and show you what I’m about.”
What Gonzalez is about might be something special, according to T-Frank. The 6-2, 200-pound receiver put up impressive numbers this offseason. Despite his injury-plagued junior film, he showed explosiveness, size, hands, and speed.
“And you mentioned the thing that stands out to me, that broad jump of ten feet; he’s explosive. When he makes a snap decision about where he wants to go, it is bang; He’s moving. Yet you watch him run, and you go, is he fast? But obviously, the ACL injury has something to do with that,” T-Frank says.
“But these are special characteristics when you tell me you have a 6-2 receiver with a 4.50 40, great hands, and explosive movement skills.”
Penn State now has 20 commits in the Class of 2024, but according to Snyder, the group could see up to seven more players in the Class if the staff can land their preferred recruits. Stay tuned to Blue White Illustrated for more recruiting breaking news.
