4-Star OT Michal Menet Commits to Penn State: Will He Start as a Freshman?

The decision wasn't much of a surprise, but when 4-star Reading, Pennsylvania, offensive lineman Michal Menet committed to Penn State on Friday afternoon, it gave head coach James Franklin a key piece to an offensive line that has every intention of being one of the best in the Big Ten sooner than later.

Menet, the top-ranked player from the state of Pennsylvania, chose Penn State over Duke at a ceremony at Exeter Township High School.

In addition to being the No. 1 player from the state, Menet is also ranked as the nation's No. 6 offensive tackle.

"I'm going to Penn State because I feel that it’s the best combination of every world possible," Menet told Lions247's Sean Fitz. "It has what I'm looking for academically. Football-wise, it has what I’m looking for as well."

Menet has been a longtime fan of what Penn State has to offer and has built a solid relationship with the members of the coaching staff, including Franklin and offensive line coach Herb Hand. At 6'5" and 271 pounds, Menet is versatile enough to play all five spots on the offensive line.

It's his versatility that could get him playing time early in a Penn State uniform.

Whether or not he starts as a freshman is to be determined, as the Nittany Lions have some young talent ready to step in for the 2015 season.

Still, Menet is good enough to challenge for a starting spot early. In fact, Penn State's 2016 class of offensive linemen will be one to watch. Menet is in a recruiting class with 4-star Connor McGovern, the nation's No. 3 center, as well as Alex Gellerstedt, a rising 3-star tackle who had nearly 20 reported offers.

Credit: 247Sports

According to 247Sports' Jeff Rice, the Nittany Lions have had 20 All-American linemen since 1995. Only two of them were offensive linemen—A.Q. Shipley in 2008 and Stefen Wisniewski in 2010.

That could change with the talent level of the committed 2016 trio, and Penn State is hoping to score additional wins by swaying uncommitted 4-star guards Michael Onwenu and Parker Boudreaux.

You can believe that Menet will come to campus with the intent of competing for a starting gig.

Penn State is getting a lineman who has all the tools to be a leader on and off the field, and he is expected to not only push the linemen already on campus but also play well enough to potentially take a job from an upperclassman.

Menet told told Fitz that he was a fan of how the Nittany Lions made him a priority early and often. He will now look to return the favor by preparing for college with a strong upcoming senior season.

"They really had a very consistent message the whole way through," Menet told Fitz. "They want to make Penn State a championship-caliber team, and I believe that 100 percent. They've gotten some good guys in the last couple of classes, and I just want to continue building on that and make Penn State what it should be."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Damon via Twitter @DamonSayles.