Penn State Football Recruiting: 10 Reasons Recruits Should Consider Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions' football program was rocked by the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal this past season.

The scandal led to unearthed facts and allegations much deeper than their former defensive coordinator. Joe Paterno wound up being fired, and most of his coaching staff would follow after the season.

The impact of the scandal is felt in the short term and in the long term.

The long-term window could be bleak if the NCAA gets involved, and the short-term window is not much brighter if new head coach Bill O'Brien cannot recruit.

But why would recruits not want to come to Penn State now that a new leader has been named?

Here are 10 reasons recruits should still consider Penn State a realistic option:

Key Spots to Fill

The 2012 recruiting class will get their shot to replace key pieces for Penn State from day one.

Penn State's defense must replace Devon Still, Drew Astorino, Nick Sukay and Jack Crawford, among others.

That does not necessarily mean recruits are fighting for starting spots, but they could certainly see their share of snaps.

Offensively, Penn State must find a new top receiving target and replace four starters on their offensive line.

Recruits should come to Penn State knowing spots are up for grabs. If they excel in spring practice, they could start. At the least, they can expect to receive the playing time they earn.

Returning Talent

Penn State has talent returning on both sides of the ball in 2012.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions return key pieces on all three levels. They will also get Michael Mauti and Pete Massaro back from injury.

Penn State's offense returns darkhorse Heisman candidate Silas Redd in the backfield. Paul Jones will be academically eligible and could be the favorite to start behind center.

The Nittany Lions must replace Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Devon Still on defense and four starters on their offensive line, among other hurdles.

All players want to win. The same goes for recruits. The collection of talent returning to Penn State should make that possible in the coming years.

Big Ten Contenders

The Nittany Lions return enough talent on both sides of the ball to challenge for a Big Ten Championship.

Ohio State will take a season to adjust to new head coach Urban Meyer, Nebraska lost key pieces on defense and Wisconsin will make due without Russell Wilson behind center.

This leaves the Big Ten's Legends division wide open. A favorable early-season schedule could catapult the Nittany Lions to the top if they play well.

The Nittany Lions are not a finished product. They still need a quarterback and must maintain continuity on their offensive line. Their defense should be above average once again because of an impressive linebacking core.

What recruit would not want to enjoy immediate success in a major conference?

Go Down in History

The 2012 recruiting class will go down in history for one reason, if for none other at all.

This year's class will be the first class with nothing to do with Joe Paterno since 1966. This fact alone should have recruits intrigued.

Penn State football is defined by their former head coach, Paterno. He is an icon in Happy Valley and the rest of the sporting world.

Recruits from the 2012 class have a chance to be in a class of their own.

Bill O'Brien's first college recruiting haul and Penn State's first of the post-Paterno era should be an alluring prospect for undecided recruits.

Revitalize a Storied Program

Penn State may have a competitive team on the field in 2012, but their program and university is shrouded in controversy.

The Nittany Lion recruits over the next few seasons have a chance to change that mentality with their play on the field and by showing a commitment to the troubled program.

Students, fans and players are looking for something to get excited about. The 2012 recruiting class and beyond could provide food for excitement in the Nittany Lion football world.

Recruits have to like the idea of playing savior to a once-great program.

Linebacker U

Penn State has a long and storied tradition as the preeminent breeding ground for college linebackers.

The Nittany Lions may be ushering in a new era, but this fact will not change anytime soon. Linebacker recruits should still consider Penn State a top choice.

Penn State has a stable of linebackers ready to take the field in 2012. However, it is a veteran group and will eventually need replacements.

Current linebacker prospects need to consider Penn State among their options. The coaching staff in Happy Valley may be new, but Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden still remain.

These two men know the Penn State tradition well and will help the Nittany Lions continue to be a linebacker hot spot.

Program Tradition

Penn State has 827 career victories, two national championships, three conference titles, one Heisman Trophy winner and 39 consensus All-Americans.

In other words, Penn State has played great football for many years. Tradition like this cannot be found at just any school.

Current recruits must consider Penn State's past and not just their present. The present situation will be gone faster than what seems possible.

With their help, Penn State's future can be just as bright as the program's illustrious past.

No More Jay Paterno

It's hard to pin personnel woes on one person from the former Penn State coaching staff, but if it were possible, the onus would fall on Jay Paterno.

Paterno has been the Penn State quarterbacks coach since 1999. During that span, Penn State has been the standard of mediocrity behind center.

The Nittany Lions can't seem to develop or recruit quarterbacks. Anthony Morelli was the most touted quarterback of Paterno's era, but he failed to live up to his lofty expectations.

Penn State must put more emphasis on quarterbacks. New head coach Biill O'Brien has coached Tom Brady and may be the man to make the change at Penn State happen.

So, for any quarterback prospects out there, Paterno is no longer in charge of your development and maturation. That has to make you think twice.

Grateful Fans

Penn State football fans are concerned with recruiting above all else.

A new coaching staff combined with lackluster recent recruiting history does give the Nittany Lion fans a real reason to worry.

This sense of dread has fans on edge as National Signing Day approaches. Fans will endear themselves to any recruit who decides to make Happy Valley his home.

Uncertainty surrounds the Nittany Lions' football future. Recruiting commitments make that future a little less mysterious.

Penn State may not be the sexiest school selection at this point. However, being revered by an enormous fanbase goes a long way.

New Era

Penn State ushered in a new era with the hiring of new head coach Bill O'Brien.

O'Brien's hiring of new offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen and new defensive coordinator Ted Roof solidifies the direction the Nittany Lions are taking.

Make no mistake, this is a new era in Penn State Nittany Lion football.

Joe Paterno, Tom Bradley, Galen Hall and Jay Paterno will no longer roam the Penn State sidelines. Instead, the Nittany Lions will be led by a collection of new names, Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden.

A new era was needed following the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal and subsequent hoopla surrounding the Penn State University.

This should provide incentive for incoming recruits.