Penn State Football's 5 Most Enticing 2013 Recruits

Courtesy of thematadorsports.com

Bill O'Brien has corralled a stable of capable recruits for the 2013 class. The Nittany Lions have landed 11 recruits overall, but five of those players stand out. 

The Nittany Lions will need these five players to provide an instant impact in some cases. Others will have an opportunity to learn from upperclassmen at their given positions.

O'Brien's energy on the recruiting trail has made an obvious difference in a very short time. 

Let's take a look at five recruits Penn State fans should be very excited for.

Greg Webb

Greg Webb is one of New Jersey's top prospects because of his explosiveness on the defensive line. 

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has an excellent reputation for developing talent, and Webb already brings plenty to the table. 

He is strong at the point of attack, has a quick first step and enough speed to chase down ball-carriers in the backfield. 

Webb will have a chance to sit and learn, but don't be surprised if he sees snaps early in his career. He could make a major impact when all is said and done.

Garrett Sickels

Garrett Sickels' versatility is his attraction. He is capable of putting his hand in the dirt as a defensive end, or standing up and playing edge-rusher. 

Sickels is an outstanding athlete with a motor that never quits. He has outstanding two-way ability, and he will make an impact immediately in Happy Valley.

Nittany Lion fans will love Sickels because of his dynamic playmaking ability and hard-nosed attitude.

He fits the bill of many Penn State defenders before him.

Brendan Mahon

Brendan Mahon is a highly-regarded bookend for a reason. He is an offensive tackle with tremendous upside.

Once he refines his technique and balance, Mahon will be ready to go. Offensive lineman rarely see early playing time for Penn State so he will have plenty of time to learn.

Mahon is long, 300-plus pounds and has the necessary mean streak to play up front.

He will fit right into the Big Ten's rugged mentality, and he will be a quality starter at Penn State within a few years.

Adam Breneman

Adam Breneman is a wide receiver in a tight end's body. The Pennsylvania native is the nation's top tight end prospect and a future college star.

Breneman's catch radius is excellent. He reaches the ball at its apex, protects it and is sure-handed all the way to the ground. 

His 6'5'' frame must fill out a bit, but Breneman is exactly what Bill O'Brien needs. He will stretch the field, work the seams and put a ton of pressure on opposing safeties. 

Look for Breneman to make a living over the middle and even blow the top off of the defense a time or two.

He will be an instant fan favorite, and an instant playmaker.

Don't be surprised if he redshirts though. A recent ACL tear could set him back.

Christian Hackenberg

Christian Hackenberg is Penn State's prized possession.

The pro-style pocket passer is exactly what Penn State's needed since Kerry Collins' departure in the early-1990s.

Hackenberg shows poise beyond his years, makes solid reads and displays excellent pocket awareness. He must work on reading a college-level defense, but that will come with experience. 

Hackenberg's accuracy and arm strength are both well above-average. He has all the makings of a dynamic gunslinger behind center. 

Penn State faithful are starved for a quarterback of Hackenberg's quality. He could immediately change the culture, and direction, of this program's offense.