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2019 Recruiting Class Thread

https://247sports.com/college/penn-...-3-four-star-QBs-remain-uncommitted-118997714

Also hailing from the West Coast is Eugene (Ore.) Sheldon Top247 signal-caller Michael Johnson Jr. — the man with the laser-timed 4.58 in the 40-yard dash. Oregon is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite ... but Johnson won’t be a Duck. My forecast has been on Miami since late February. Led by Jon Richt’s efforts, the Hurricanes have made the 6-foot-2, 192-pound Johnson feel like a priority. Richt made regular visits to the school and head coach Mark Richt made it out during the evaluation period as well. There’s no doubt in my mind Miami led in the spring. However, an official visit to Penn State this past weekend at the very least has given Johnson pause. He enjoyed his time in Happy Valley as James Franklin and his staff look to add another four-star in 2019 to go along with Ta’Quan Roberson. For Miami, It’s Johnson-or-bust. He heads to Florida State for an official on June 22. Nothing else is scheduled. Arizona State, NC State and LSU are three others Johnson named as finalists. Johnson is the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback and No. 201 in the 247Sports Composite.
 
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"Quit, you're on full scholarship," said Franklin, prompting the roars of Vasey's teammates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nittany Lions add Vasey to scholarship roster

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Nate Bauer • BlueWhiteIllustrated.com
@NateBauerBWI

Penn State added another specialist to its scholarship roster this week, announced Tuesday afternoon when walk-on long-snapper Kyle Vasey was surprised by his teammates and head coach James Franklin


Set to enter his senior year as a Nittany Lion, originally out of Wallenpaupack, Vasey has been a walk-on with the program for each of the past four seasons. And though he took a redshirt his first season and wouldn't see action as a second- or third-year player, Vasey's diligence paid off during the 2017-18 season.

Starting all 13 games as Penn State's long snapper, Vasey became an integral piece to Penn State's special teams units.

And now, he's on scholarship.

Surrounded by teammates, head coach James Franklin sought out the few players on the team working jobs this summer. Vasey, identifying himself as working five nights a week from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at a downtown bar, quickly saw his status change.

"So how many hours a week are you doing," asked Franklin.

"25-30," said Vasey.

"Quit, you're on full scholarship," said Franklin, prompting the roars of Vasey's teammates.


It never gets old that video.

Great stuff coach and kid!!
 
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Good The Athletic article on the recruitment of Tyreke Smith. ($$$)

https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/

Huge difference between Urban Meyer and James Franklin.

“We were all sitting down and my mom wanted to make it known how she felt,” Malik said. “Urban can come off as cocky … ”

“He is cocky,” Michelle Smith interjected. “Talking to him, cut you off. Forget who his players are. I was like, ‘How is Jaylen (Harris) doing?’ He’d be like, ‘Who?’ I’d say, ‘Ty’s (former) teammate, a player of yours, what the hell, who?’ I told him.”

“Man,” Malik interjected, “she let him have it. (Meyer) was sitting right next to me, and I was like, ‘Ooo.’ His whole soul just left him. She was being honest with him, saying, ‘I was not a fan of yours, I did not think that you were honest about everything with your players, that you just wanted my son for football,’ and basically went down this whole list.”

“I didn’t like the texts,” Michelle added. “He had blanket texts. If you’re going to text me, have some substance. Every single morning you could tell it was a message he was sending to every parent. And I told him that I’m not every parent. The statistics, the number of degrees, it was just a commercial he would send every morning. I don’t need that. If you’re going to send me something, send me something of substance. Talk about my son. Ask me how I am doing or how my husband was doing. I didn’t like it, so I told him. It wasn’t for me. Maybe some people just get all excited just receiving a message from Urban Meyer, but it didn’t have that impact on me.”

“If you don’t know Coach Meyer and you’re just another recruit to him — kind of like it is with (Alabama’s) Nick Saban,” Tyreke said. “If you’re talking to them on the phone with them or something like that, they aren’t the best to talk on the phone with. You need to get to know them or they’ll turn you the wrong way. Sometimes it just seems like they are football coaches.”
 
Good The Athletic article on the recruitment of Tyreke Smith. ($$$)

https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/

Huge difference between Urban Meyer and James Franklin.

“We were all sitting down and my mom wanted to make it known how she felt,” Malik said. “Urban can come off as cocky … ”

“He is cocky,” Michelle Smith interjected. “Talking to him, cut you off. Forget who his players are. I was like, ‘How is Jaylen (Harris) doing?’ He’d be like, ‘Who?’ I’d say, ‘Ty’s (former) teammate, a player of yours, what the hell, who?’ I told him.”

“Man,” Malik interjected, “she let him have it. (Meyer) was sitting right next to me, and I was like, ‘Ooo.’ His whole soul just left him. She was being honest with him, saying, ‘I was not a fan of yours, I did not think that you were honest about everything with your players, that you just wanted my son for football,’ and basically went down this whole list.”

“I didn’t like the texts,” Michelle added. “He had blanket texts. If you’re going to text me, have some substance. Every single morning you could tell it was a message he was sending to every parent. And I told him that I’m not every parent. The statistics, the number of degrees, it was just a commercial he would send every morning. I don’t need that. If you’re going to send me something, send me something of substance. Talk about my son. Ask me how I am doing or how my husband was doing. I didn’t like it, so I told him. It wasn’t for me. Maybe some people just get all excited just receiving a message from Urban Meyer, but it didn’t have that impact on me.”

“If you don’t know Coach Meyer and you’re just another recruit to him — kind of like it is with (Alabama’s) Nick Saban,” Tyreke said. “If you’re talking to them on the phone with them or something like that, they aren’t the best to talk on the phone with. You need to get to know them or they’ll turn you the wrong way. Sometimes it just seems like they are football coaches.”
Why the hell did he chose the buckeyes then? I’m confused.
 
Why the hell did he chose the buckeyes then? I’m confused.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........................talks.
 
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Good The Athletic article on the recruitment of Tyreke Smith. ($$$)

https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/

Huge difference between Urban Meyer and James Franklin.

“We were all sitting down and my mom wanted to make it known how she felt,” Malik said. “Urban can come off as cocky … ”

“He is cocky,” Michelle Smith interjected. “Talking to him, cut you off. Forget who his players are. I was like, ‘How is Jaylen (Harris) doing?’ He’d be like, ‘Who?’ I’d say, ‘Ty’s (former) teammate, a player of yours, what the hell, who?’ I told him.”

“Man,” Malik interjected, “she let him have it. (Meyer) was sitting right next to me, and I was like, ‘Ooo.’ His whole soul just left him. She was being honest with him, saying, ‘I was not a fan of yours, I did not think that you were honest about everything with your players, that you just wanted my son for football,’ and basically went down this whole list.”

“I didn’t like the texts,” Michelle added. “He had blanket texts. If you’re going to text me, have some substance. Every single morning you could tell it was a message he was sending to every parent. And I told him that I’m not every parent. The statistics, the number of degrees, it was just a commercial he would send every morning. I don’t need that. If you’re going to send me something, send me something of substance. Talk about my son. Ask me how I am doing or how my husband was doing. I didn’t like it, so I told him. It wasn’t for me. Maybe some people just get all excited just receiving a message from Urban Meyer, but it didn’t have that impact on me.”

“If you don’t know Coach Meyer and you’re just another recruit to him — kind of like it is with (Alabama’s) Nick Saban,” Tyreke said. “If you’re talking to them on the phone with them or something like that, they aren’t the best to talk on the phone with. You need to get to know them or they’ll turn you the wrong way. Sometimes it just seems like they are football coaches.”
yet Ty Smith is at OSU ... did the article have any info on a change of heart for Malik and Michelle
 
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........................talks.

Yep

Imo this is why we won’t land Harrison. Osu will just not let it happen. They’ll do whatever it takes.

Now I admit Zach seems like a kid who isn’t going to influenced. But I fear Osu will make an offer they just can’t refuse
 
Good The Athletic article on the recruitment of Tyreke Smith. ($$$)

https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/

Huge difference between Urban Meyer and James Franklin.

“We were all sitting down and my mom wanted to make it known how she felt,” Malik said. “Urban can come off as cocky … ”

“He is cocky,” Michelle Smith interjected. “Talking to him, cut you off. Forget who his players are. I was like, ‘How is Jaylen (Harris) doing?’ He’d be like, ‘Who?’ I’d say, ‘Ty’s (former) teammate, a player of yours, what the hell, who?’ I told him.”

“Man,” Malik interjected, “she let him have it. (Meyer) was sitting right next to me, and I was like, ‘Ooo.’ His whole soul just left him. She was being honest with him, saying, ‘I was not a fan of yours, I did not think that you were honest about everything with your players, that you just wanted my son for football,’ and basically went down this whole list.”

“I didn’t like the texts,” Michelle added. “He had blanket texts. If you’re going to text me, have some substance. Every single morning you could tell it was a message he was sending to every parent. And I told him that I’m not every parent. The statistics, the number of degrees, it was just a commercial he would send every morning. I don’t need that. If you’re going to send me something, send me something of substance. Talk about my son. Ask me how I am doing or how my husband was doing. I didn’t like it, so I told him. It wasn’t for me. Maybe some people just get all excited just receiving a message from Urban Meyer, but it didn’t have that impact on me.”

“If you don’t know Coach Meyer and you’re just another recruit to him — kind of like it is with (Alabama’s) Nick Saban,” Tyreke said. “If you’re talking to them on the phone with them or something like that, they aren’t the best to talk on the phone with. You need to get to know them or they’ll turn you the wrong way. Sometimes it just seems like they are football coaches.”
That's quite a burn.
 
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https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/ $$$

So when Tyreke committed to Ohio State, she had to FaceTime Franklin and break the news alongside Tyreke. Michelle was crying as she tried to explain how it wasn’t anything Penn State did. She was concerned about her family’s word because they had given a verbal commitment. She didn’t want Penn State to think they were lying.

“It was terrible,” Michelle said. “And the fact they weren’t saying much was making it worse.”

As Michelle remembers it, Franklin said, “We had your word, and this really puts us in a bad position. We slated Ty to be here."

“We do, but this is ultimately his decision, and we supported it,” Michelle said. “Look, I’d be pissed, too. And I was honest with them about the reason Ty wanted to go to Ohio State.”

That was the last time a coach from Penn State and the Smiths spoke.
 
https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/ $$$

So when Tyreke committed to Ohio State, she had to FaceTime Franklin and break the news alongside Tyreke. Michelle was crying as she tried to explain how it wasn’t anything Penn State did. She was concerned about her family’s word because they had given a verbal commitment. She didn’t want Penn State to think they were lying.

“It was terrible,” Michelle said. “And the fact they weren’t saying much was making it worse.”

As Michelle remembers it, Franklin said, “We had your word, and this really puts us in a bad position. We slated Ty to be here."

“We do, but this is ultimately his decision, and we supported it,” Michelle said. “Look, I’d be pissed, too. And I was honest with them about the reason Ty wanted to go to Ohio State.”

That was the last time a coach from Penn State and the Smiths spoke.

Tyreke Smith was a silent verbal to Penn State at one point?
 
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Tyreke Smith was a silent verbal to Penn State at one point?

Welp...answered my own question in the first sentence of the article....

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Before he decided to never be silent, before the T-shirt, before he committed to Penn State and before his mother had a candid conversation with Urban Meyer the night he flipped to Ohio State..."
 
https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/ $$$

So when Tyreke committed to Ohio State, she had to FaceTime Franklin and break the news alongside Tyreke. Michelle was crying as she tried to explain how it wasn’t anything Penn State did. She was concerned about her family’s word because they had given a verbal commitment. She didn’t want Penn State to think they were lying.

“It was terrible,” Michelle said. “And the fact they weren’t saying much was making it worse.”

As Michelle remembers it, Franklin said, “We had your word, and this really puts us in a bad position. We slated Ty to be here."

“We do, but this is ultimately his decision, and we supported it,” Michelle said. “Look, I’d be pissed, too. And I was honest with them about the reason Ty wanted to go to Ohio State.”

That was the last time a coach from Penn State and the Smiths spoke.

Can’t read the whole article ...So what was the reason he claims as to why he committed to PSU ?

LJsr?
 
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Can’t read the whole article ...So what was the reason he claims as to why he committed to PSU ?

LJsr?

Not going to read the article? I’ll save you time. It was LJ. His whole recruiting pitch boils down to, “I’ll take care of your young black prince and sent him to the League.” I sat through it with a recruit. Quite frankly, I, and a number of coaches on the staff, found it nauseating. As soon as I saw the BLM T-shirt I was absolutely certain he was O$U bound. It is a testament to Franklin we were even in it, much less our being able to receive a verbal commitment.
 
Not going to read the article? I’ll save you time. It was LJ. His whole recruiting pitch boils down to, “I’ll take care of your young black prince and sent him to the League.” I sat through it with a recruit. Quite frankly, I, and a number of coaches on the staff, found it nauseating. As soon as I saw the BLM T-shirt I was absolutely certain he was O$U bound. It is a testament to Franklin we were even in it, much less our being able to receive a verbal commitment.

I hear you. Reason I don’t believe that LJ was the “real” reason is because it ain’t like LJ just joined the Osu staff the week before he flipped. It isn’t like LJ wasn’t involve in his recruitment for months and months.
 
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https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/ $$$

So when Tyreke committed to Ohio State, she had to FaceTime Franklin and break the news alongside Tyreke. Michelle was crying as she tried to explain how it wasn’t anything Penn State did. She was concerned about her family’s word because they had given a verbal commitment. She didn’t want Penn State to think they were lying.

“It was terrible,” Michelle said. “And the fact they weren’t saying much was making it worse.”

As Michelle remembers it, Franklin said, “We had your word, and this really puts us in a bad position. We slated Ty to be here."

“We do, but this is ultimately his decision, and we supported it,” Michelle said. “Look, I’d be pissed, too. And I was honest with them about the reason Ty wanted to go to Ohio State.”

That was the last time a coach from Penn State and the Smiths spoke.
thanks for follow-up
 
Not going to read the article? I’ll save you time. It was LJ. His whole recruiting pitch boils down to, “I’ll take care of your young black prince and sent him to the League.” I sat through it with a recruit. Quite frankly, I, and a number of coaches on the staff, found it nauseating. As soon as I saw the BLM T-shirt I was absolutely certain he was O$U bound. It is a testament to Franklin we were even in it, much less our being able to receive a verbal commitment.
It doesn't sound like his parents were happy with Tyreke's decision to go to OSU. It actually sounds like they are openly against the decision.
 
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It's impossible to fault a kid for wanting to be coached by LJ Sr. He worked miracles at PSU for decades. HURRY UP AND RETIRE ALREADY GO HANG OUT WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS
 
Not going to read the article? I’ll save you time. It was LJ. His whole recruiting pitch boils down to, “I’ll take care of your young black prince and sent him to the League.” I sat through it with a recruit. Quite frankly, I, and a number of coaches on the staff, found it nauseating. As soon as I saw the BLM T-shirt I was absolutely certain he was O$U bound. It is a testament to Franklin we were even in it, much less our being able to receive a verbal commitment.
I’m not sure how different that is than Franklin selling recruits on his goal to be the first AA head coach to win a national championship.

I don’t doubt that Franklin’s overall recruiting pitch might very well be more robust and well-rounded than Urban’s/LJ’s NFL-focused approach, but Franklin is certainly keenly aware that a lot of kids are attracted to the thought of having that shared life experience with their head coach (and most of Penn State’s staff, really) and won’t hesitate to share it with recruits.
 
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It's impossible to fault a kid for wanting to be coached by LJ Sr. He worked miracles at PSU for decades. HURRY UP AND RETIRE ALREADY GO HANG OUT WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS

Again If he was the reason for going to osu. Why committ to PSU originally? LJ was on the Osu staff already. Was already involved in the recruitment of Smith .....
 
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I’m not sure how different that is than Franklin selling recruits on his goal to be the first AA head coach to win a national championship.

I don’t doubt that Franklin’s overall recruiting pitch might very well be more robust and well-rounded than Urban’s/LJ’s NFL-focused approach, but Franklin is certainly keenly aware that a lot of kids are attracted to the thought of having that shared life experience with their head coach (and most of Penn State’s staff, really) and won’t hesitate to share it with recruits.

Franklin uses that as an aspect of his whole pitch. It was seemingly the sum total of LJ’s. My negative opinion of the man aside, there is no doubt he is a phenomenal recruiter. Lots of charisma with a big personality. Quite frankly I was willing to give LJ the benefit of the doubt when I knew his head coach was a principled guy who cared about our kids.

In my experience Urban cares about football, period. Smith’s parents got that exactly right. Surprisingly honest and refreshing take. Think it might cause Smith problems in Columbus. That fan base does not like any doses of truth.
 
I too was surprised by the level of candor from the Smiths, especially given that the son is just starting at OSU. Will be interesting to see where his career goes. Will also be interesting to see if these snippets have any impact at all on Mr. Harrison's recruitment (there, circled back to 2019! )
 
Franklin uses that as an aspect of his whole pitch. It was seemingly the sum total of LJ’s. My negative opinion of the man aside, there is no doubt he is a phenomenal recruiter. Lots of charisma with a big personality. Quite frankly I was willing to give LJ the benefit of the doubt when I knew his head coach was a principled guy who cared about our kids.

In my experience Urban cares about football, period. Smith’s parents got that exactly right. Surprisingly honest and refreshing take. Think it might cause Smith problems in Columbus. That fan base does not like any doses of truth.

I haven't seen any discussion of this on any Ohio State boards. If anyone does, link it please.
 
Again If he was the reason for going to osu. Why committ to PSU originally? LJ was on the Osu staff already. Was already involved in the recruitment of Smith .....
possibly because someone was in his ear that LJ was retiring. makes sense to me. then he visited and UM/LJ said LJ was staying. done deal
 
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Again If he was the reason for going to osu. Why committ to PSU originally? LJ was on the Osu staff already. Was already involved in the recruitment of Smith .....
Maybe it was because LJ wasn't committed to continue coaching as opposed to retiring as LJ Jr. tweeted about.
 
Thread should be renamed the "Tyreke Smith Thread". Funny how some of the same posters that have complained about others taking this thread off topic are themselves taking this thread off topic.
 
Maybe it was because LJ wasn't committed to continue coaching as opposed to retiring as LJ Jr. tweeted about.

That’s entirely possible. However I’d wager that during the entire recruiting period LJ and Meyer never said anything other than that LJ would continue to coach at Osu. Just like they did with the running back a few years ago... Weber I believe?!
 
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Good The Athletic article on the recruitment of Tyreke Smith. ($$$)

https://theathletic.com/354279/2018/06/13/tyreke-smith-rough/

Huge difference between Urban Meyer and James Franklin.

“We were all sitting down and my mom wanted to make it known how she felt,” Malik said. “Urban can come off as cocky … ”

“He is cocky,” Michelle Smith interjected. “Talking to him, cut you off. Forget who his players are. I was like, ‘How is Jaylen (Harris) doing?’ He’d be like, ‘Who?’ I’d say, ‘Ty’s (former) teammate, a player of yours, what the hell, who?’ I told him.”

“Man,” Malik interjected, “she let him have it. (Meyer) was sitting right next to me, and I was like, ‘Ooo.’ His whole soul just left him. She was being honest with him, saying, ‘I was not a fan of yours, I did not think that you were honest about everything with your players, that you just wanted my son for football,’ and basically went down this whole list.”

“I didn’t like the texts,” Michelle added. “He had blanket texts. If you’re going to text me, have some substance. Every single morning you could tell it was a message he was sending to every parent. And I told him that I’m not every parent. The statistics, the number of degrees, it was just a commercial he would send every morning. I don’t need that. If you’re going to send me something, send me something of substance. Talk about my son. Ask me how I am doing or how my husband was doing. I didn’t like it, so I told him. It wasn’t for me. Maybe some people just get all excited just receiving a message from Urban Meyer, but it didn’t have that impact on me.”

“If you don’t know Coach Meyer and you’re just another recruit to him — kind of like it is with (Alabama’s) Nick Saban,” Tyreke said. “If you’re talking to them on the phone with them or something like that, they aren’t the best to talk on the phone with. You need to get to know them or they’ll turn you the wrong way. Sometimes it just seems like they are football coaches.”

Wow! Eye opener!!
 
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