Penn State Recruiting Update

This Wednesday is National Signing Day for college football stars of the future, and Penn State looks to be bringing in a very talented class. Let's take a moment to get a little caught up and look at what to expect on Wednesday.

Four players have already signed their letters of intent, highlighted by quarterback Kevin Newsome. Ty Howle, the guy who will likely be snapping the football to Newsome in the future, also has signed his letter of intent.

Howle actually committed last March. Gerald Hodges, a linebacker from New Jersey, is the lone defensive player to have already signed, and Texas' Anthony Fera, one of the top kickers in the country, is the last of the four players. Fera had originally committed to Michigan but changed his mind.

Interesting to note that Newsome did the same thing. Remember Michael Shaw? Yeah, take that Michigan!

Twenty-two players are listed as commitments that should be signing their letters of intent for Penn State on Wednesday. The top players that will be watched closely on signing day are Glenn Carson at inside linebacker, Darrell Givens and Derrick Thomas at the depleted cornerback position, and offensive tackle Eric Shrive.

The Nittany Lions also look to be bringing in some wide receivers, although none of them are considered headliners. Shawney Kersey from New Jersey and Brandon Felder from Maryland look to be the top wide receivers coming in.

Felder is actually coming off of a pair of torn ACL and ruptured LCL injuries, but Penn State stuck with him. It will be interesting to see how his PSU career unfolds. He has potential to be a hidden gem.

So which undecided prospects should you be paying particular attention to?  To Penn State fans, the name that will top the list—and could bolster Penn State's currently 10th-ranked class up a notch or two or more—is Jelani Jenkins.

Jenkins is the top linebacker in the recruiting world this year, and Penn State looks to be one of the favorites to land him. 

In fact, the top two schools mentioned are Penn State and the new defending national champion Florida Gators. Jenkins can pretty much pick his school, but he has only visited two—Penn State and Florida. 

Jenkins is a Maryland native and is being recruited by Larry Johnson Sr., who has made a living in Maryland with Penn State recruiting.  The fact that Johnson is officially returning may help push the decision in favor of Penn State.

Florida is awfully tempting to recruits, especially right now. If Jenkins chooses Penn State, then the Nittany Lions should be set and admired for a fine recruiting class. As fine as it is right now, the addition of Jenkins would be the cherry on top.

Other players to keep tabs on include Carvin Powell, a wide receiver out of Virginia.  Powell is a three-star receiver who seems to be in favor of staying in the ACC.