Penn State Scandal: How Much Will This Affect the 2012 Recruiting Class?

It's not college football if it doesn't involve scandals. This week it comes from Happy Valley and the Penn State Nittany Lions football program.

Jerry Sandusky, who is a former defensive coordinator for the University, has been charged with 40 counts of molesting children. Penn States athletic director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, who is the senior vice president of finance and business, have also been charged with lying to a grand jury and failing to report the disturbing crimes.

There is no doubt this is very embarrassing for the university and will tarnish the program for a very long time. This doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.

So how exactly will this effect recruiting for the football program?

It could take a very big hit just because this may force head coach Joe Paterno to retire a little earlier than he would have liked. Players from around the country choose to play for a legendary coach like Paterno and if he is no longer there, they may shy away from Penn State.

Recruiting could also take a hit if the NCAA decides to get involved and punish the university themselves. Players aren't going to pick Penn State if they can't participate in bowl games and reap the benefits of a successful regular season.  

Good news is that the recruits for 2012 are at least saying this will not affect their decision to come to Happy Valley.

Offensive tackle Joey O'Connor said, "You go to a school based on coaches, but then again you don't," said O'Connor, who officially visited Penn State in September and won't make it back to the campus before enrolling. "They could be gone tomorrow. No matter what, if coach Paterno is there or not, I still love Penn State."

That's his opinion now but, of course, it could change tomorrow. 

Defensive end Noah Spence has yet to make his decision but Penn State is one of the teams he is considering. Would he really pick a Penn State that is going through this when he has offers from schools like Florida, Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan and Alabama among other schools?

How much of an impact this will play on recruiting is yet to be seen. It's still very early to tell but this will tarnish the university and may end up costing them some big recruits that they normally would have landed. 

This still has to play out but it is not looking good for the Nittany Lions and will affect recruiting in some way.

How much?

Time will tell.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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