Penn State's football recruiting is on pace to be its best effort in years.
Though only five-strong so far, coach Joe Paterno said recently that he feels confident in six or seven other high school stars giving him their verbal commitments before long.
Maybe the roll will begin next month during the Nittany Lions' annual summer football camps.
And who could they be?
Start with the biggest name in Connecticut linebacker Khairi Fortt. He is a four-star prospect who already has the build (6-foot-2½, 221 pounds) to play on the next level. And he seemed right at home last month while signing autographs before the Blue-White Game and then seeing his buddy, Connecticut running back Silas Redd, give the Lions his pledge.
Now, go to next sure thing in State College wide receiver Alex Kenney. He's 6-foot and 190 pounds and has top-line track speed. He could go to Virginia or Stanford or Boston College, but he seems locked on the hometown Lions.
Another good bet is Manheim Central High's Dakota Royer, who figures to play outside linebacker or stand-up defensive end in college. He also has offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame and West Virginia, but the Lions have everything he's looking for on defense.
The final four is a bit tougher to call.
Let's begin with Central York's Kyle Baublitz, who could play on offense but who probably will be a defensive end or defensive tackle in college. Penn State is hard to pass up when it offers the nation's best defensive line coach and is only two hours from home.
We'll also go with Michigan defensive end C.J. Olaniyan and two Frederick, Md. kids in highly-regarded fullback Zach Zwinak and offensive tackle Robby Havenstein, both from Linganore High.
And, lastly, we predict a commit from New Jersey tight end Kevin Haplea, whose recruiting is really picking up some power recently.
All of that could give the Lions 12 commitments by the end of August -- a great start for a small class with maybe only 18 or 19 spots to fill.
Here are a few others who seem to have a decent shot of ending up in Happy Valley, too: Philadelphia defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Michigan quarterback Robert Bolden, California wideout Kenny Stills and Maryland safety Jeff Knox of Dematha High.
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