Taking a closer look at each of the Penn State Nittany Lions’ 27 commits on Early Signing Day
About five hours after the fax machines started buzzing, Penn State’s Early Signing Day has come to an end.
And, as expected, it’s an impressive one.
Twenty-seven football players signed their letters of intent Wednesday, officially making them Nittany Lions and giving the program yet another top-15 recruiting class. Penn State could still choose to sign one or two more prospects, depending on who might transfer, but that likely won’t come until after the bowl game.
For now, Penn State’s class is set with at least 27 commits, all of whom sent their LOIs between 7:24 a.m. and 12:24 p.m. And here’s a closer look at each member of the biggest class of James Franklin’s tenure, from the last to sign on the dotted line to the first:
1. DT Coziah Izzard, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-3/285
School (Hometown): DeMatha Catholic (Laurel, Md.)
Synopsis: Izzard is listed as a strongside defensive end on his 247Sports profile, but given his size, he’s unlikely to play on the exterior of the defensive line.
The high school senior is well on his way to defensive tackle at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, and will likely continue to add weight and strength as he makes a move to defensive tackle. National recruiting analyst Brian Dohn of 247Sports projects the Maryland native as a multi-year starter for a top 20 program.
Izzard chose Penn State over several of the top programs in the nation, including Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
2. S Ji’Ayir Brown, 3 stars
Height/weight: 5-11/205
School (Hometown): Lackawanna C.C. (Trenton, N.J.)
Synopsis: Brown has positional versatility and has the potential to make an impact in several areas for Penn State.
The junior college transfer will have three years left to play two, with a redshirt still available. Lackawanna assistant coach Josh Pardini told Rivals that Brown could play at two different levels of the Penn State defense.
“He’s probably a safety or maybe even a linebacker at the next level,” Pardini said. “Honestly, he’s similar to (Los Angeles Chargers linebacker) Kyzir White in a lot of ways. He played corner for us last year. He did a hell of a job, just because he’s so talented, but moving forward, I see him as a safety or even a box safety.”
Brown could be an ideal candidate for Penn State’s STAR position, a linebacker/safety hybrid that comes in as a fifth defensive back.
3. WR Malick Meiga, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-4/195
School (Hometown): Cegep du Vieux (Montreal, Quebec)
Synopsis: The Canadian Calvin Johnson, nicknamed “Meigatron,” played his high school ball up north — way north — so he’s not exactly the most polished of Penn State’s wide receiver commits.
But, boy, does he have a high ceiling. He stands at 6-foot-4 and posted a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at The Opening Regional in May. For comparison’s sake, the New York Giants’ fifth round draft pick, Darius Slayton, is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds — and he ran a 4.39 at the NFL Combine.
Meiga might not contribute immediately at Penn State, but he has the physical tools to be something special down the road. He is the No. 98 wideout and the No. 607 overall prospect, but his potential is off the charts.
4. DE/DT Brandon Taylor, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-2/275
School (Hometown): Lima Senior (Lima, Ohio)
Synopsis: Taylor is yet another defensive lineman with positional versatility in the Nittany Lions’ 2020 recruiting class. He’s already 275 pounds with room to add more and the quickness to maintain his athleticism on the interior.
The Ohio native told 247Sports that his motor and effort play a key role in his game.
“I would say that I’m a player that’s always looking to get better and always willing to put in the work,” Taylor told 247Sports. “Last year as a junior, I thought I really came off the ball well and got to the quarterback. I play with a motor that’s always running and I thought I had a really good year as a junior.”
Taylor is a likely redshirt candidate in his first year on campus.
5. OT Ibrahim Traore, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-5/300
School (Hometown): Frederick Douglas Academy (New York, N.Y.)
Synopsis: The lacrosse player impressed Penn State during July camp, earned an offer — and then committed by September.
Traore picked the Nittany Lions over the likes of Rutgers, Tennessee and Indiana.
The athletic lineman, who will likely redshirt, is ranked as the nation’s No. 64 offensive tackle and No. 852 overall prospect. And his future teammates already know what to expect.
“I know he’s a hard worker,” fellow OL commit Nick Dawkins told 247 Sports. “I mean, he’s working for everything he has, especially in New York City. It’s all boxed in, compact and he still finds a way to get work.”
6. RB Keyvone Lee, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-0/220
School (Hometown): American Collegiate Academy (Clearwater, Fla.)
Synopsis: Both Florida and Florida State were in hot pursuit of Lee but, in the end, Penn State assistant Ja’Juan Seider won him over — and now Happy Valley is getting another huge talent in the backfield.
Lee is ranked as the nation’s No. 16 running back and No. 174 overall prospect. He doesn’t boast the top-end speed of some other Penn State running backs, but his size allows him to pick up the extra yards. And he still hits the holes hard.
He complements the other back in the class, the speedier Caziah Holmes, very well. And, like Holmes, he also has soft hands and can attack defenses from multiple angles.
His list of finalists included LSU, so Lee was in high demand. Expect to see some more talk of “RBU” after this official commitment.
7. DE Bryce Mostella, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-6/240
School (Hometown): East Kentwood (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Synopsis: Mostella might be the hidden gem in Penn State’s 2020 class. The 6-foot-6 defensive end is a long athlete who has elite bend around the edge.
He will need to add weight but has the frame to put on another 20-plus pounds without losing any of his athleticism. Mostella, who committed to Penn State in July, uses his length to prevent offensive linemen from getting their hands on him and gets low to the ground to rip past tackles. He’s also responsible for the most interesting commitment video of Penn State’s 2020 cycle.
Mostella will enroll in January and have a chance to get a head-start on his much-needed weight gain.
8. WR KeAndre Lambert, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-1, 180
School (Hometown): Maury (Norfolk, Va.)
Synopsis: The Nittany Lions clearly need some help at receiver, and Lambert could be just what they need: He’s Penn State’s top-ranked receiver.
He’s rated as the nation’s No. 31 wideout and No. 176 overall prospect, and that might be underselling him. He runs a sub-3.9 agility shuttle, boasts a vertical of 40-plus inches and has a 40 in the 4.5s.
“KeAndre is so underrated,” 2021 five-star cornerback Tony Grimes, who plays for a nearby high school, told The Athletic.
As the nephew of former Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor, Lambert clearly has some good genes. He’s athletic, driven, and he has the tools to make an immediate impact in Happy Valley.
9. DE/DT Amin Vanover, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-4/270
School (Hometown): St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
Synopsis: Vanover finished with an interesting offer list for a three-star prospect. The defensive lineman picked up offers from all over the country, including from Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State before shutting down his recruitment and committing to Penn State on June 23.
Vanover, like several of his classmates, has the versatility to play several positions. He’s already big for a defensive end at 270 pounds and has the frame to add more weight. He’s a very good athlete and could stay at end if he maintains his athleticism as he inevitably gains weight in the strength and conditioning program.
If Vanover does move inside, his athleticism will stand out even more than it does at defensive end.
10. CB Joseph Johnson, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-2/170
School (Hometown): Life Christian Academy (Colonial Heights, Va.)
Synopsis: Johnson’s recruitment was the most eventful of the cycle for the Nittany Lions, and it’s not particularly close.
The three-star cornerback called Penn State his top option in an interview with 247Sports’ Brian Dohn in March before committing to N.C. State a few weeks later. He then decommitted from the Wolfpack in May and named a final four of North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State and Texas A&M on June 21. He shut his recruitment down for good on July 2 when he committed to the Nittany Lions.
Johnson brings length and athleticism to the cornerback position for Penn State, but needs to become a better tackler before he can see the field. He’s one of several Nittany Lions who will enroll in January.
11. QB Micah Bowens, 3 stars
Height/weight: 5-11/190
School (Hometown): Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Synopsis: Bowens wasn’t exactly Penn State’s first choice here — but the dual-threat quarterback has still proven to be a key cog to this class.
He’s taken on an important leadership role with this 2020 group, and he’s already started being vocal with his future teammates. He’s a project as a passer, but he’s dynamic as a dual threat. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds.
He picked the Nittany Lions over the likes of West Virginia and Arizona, and it’s tough to count him out. Trace McSorley was a three-star prospect whom some believed would be better off as a defensive back — 247 Sports noted Bowens also has experience at defensive back — and that McSorley commitment seemed to work out just fine for James Franklin.
Bowens is ranked as the No. 17 dual-threat QB in the nation, along with the No. 424 overall prospect.
12. OG Nick Dawkins, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-4/305
School (Hometown): Parkland (Allentown, Pa.)
Synopsis: Nick Dawkins was a late bloomer of sorts, considering he was still on the JV team as a sophomore. But a growth spurt, combined with taking football more seriously, put him on the recruiting map pretty quickly.
By the middle of his junior season, the recruiting attention started — and it never stopped. He garnered 30 scholarship offers in all and committed to Penn State in April of his junior year.
He’s the son of former NBA first-round draft pick Darryl Dawkins, who played eight seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers before passing away in 2015 at the age of 58. And his family has plenty of other star athletes: Nick is also cousins with Buffalo Bills OT Dion Dawkins and former Duke guard Andre Dawkins.
Nick Dawkins is ranked as the nation’s No. 56 offensive guard and the No. 865 prospect in the nation.
13. OLB Curtis Jacobs, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-1/220
School (Hometown): McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.)
Synopsis: The Nittany Lions’ highest-rated commit will be tough to keep off the field as a true freshman.
Jacobs is the No. 44 player in the 2020 class and has a chance to make an immediate impact. He’s an instinctual player with a knack for finding the football and can defend the run with his ability to shed blocks.
The four-star linebacker chose Penn State because of his trust in the coaching staff and his belief that Penn State head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brent Pry can help him reach his goals and get to the NFL.
“I truly believe that Coach Franklin and Coach Pry see greatness in me and have a plan for me to take the next step,” he told the Centre Daily Times.
14. WR Parker Washington, 4 stars
Height/weight: 5-10/200
School (Hometown): Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas)
Synopsis: Ask a recruiting analyst to pick one PSU commit who could make an immediate impact this season, and Washington’s name is bound to come up.
The polished receiver — who had 32 receiving touchdowns and 2,373 receiving yards over the last two seasons — made national headlines for his catching ability. In late October, Washington plucked a fade out of the air for a one-handed grab, not unlike Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous reception.
The play wasn’t just featured on recruiting sites. USA Today picked it up, as did football fans around Twitter and elsewhere. But Washington isn’t just a one-trick pony, either.
He’s garnered comparisons to KJ Hamler, and his 37-inch vertical isn’t too shabby, either. That vert is a half-inch better than the likes of AJ Brown, the Tennessee Titans’ second-round pick. So just do yourself a favor, and commit Washington’s name to memory now.
15. WR Norval Black, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-1/170
School (Hometown): Lackawanna C.C. (Scranton, Pa.)
Synopsis: Penn State was on Black early. Very early.
In fact, Penn State was the junior-college prospect’s first scholarship offer this past summer. And the speedster committed almost right away.
Black fulfills a clear need. He can stretch the field, sprinting downfield 40 yards and catching the ball. (Wideout Dan Chisena can also stretch the field, but his hands have lacked consistency.) Black will not enroll early, but he’s worth watching once he gets on campus.
He had 22 catches this past season for an eye-popping 570 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s nearly 26 yards a catch. He has the ability to provide an instant deep threat for the Nittany Lions.
16. S Enzo Jennings, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-1/185
School (Hometown): Oak Park (Oak Park, Mich.)
Synopsis: The Nittany Lions will need depth at safety in the near future with the impending graduation and departure of redshirt senior Garrett Taylor. And Jennings, the nation’s No. 157 overall prospect, can provide it. He’ll be one of five safeties on the Penn State roster once he steps on campus.
Jennings will have a chance to see the field early, especially on special teams. Junior safeties Jaquan Brisker and Lamont Wade will only be on campus for one year with Jennings, opening the door for him to compete in the future with sophomore Jonathan Sutherland and freshman Tyler Rudolph for the team’s two starting safety spots.
A redshirt is unlikely for Jennings, who will enroll for the 2020 spring semester, because he’ll have an extra semester in Penn State’s strength and conditioning program.
17. OG Golden Israel-Achumba, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-4/325
School (Hometown): DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)
Synopsis: Offensive line is still a little new for Israel-Achumba, who previously focused on defensive tackle — back when he was 370 pounds in the summer of 2018.
But Israel-Achumba slimmed down, dropping 50 pounds over the last year and proving he has the work ethic to make it at the next level. He’s a quick study and fared well at The Opening.
He has 28 scholarship offers, and he’s rated as the nation’s No. 19 offensive guard. He’s also the nation’s No. 423 overall prospect.
18. WR Jaden Dottin, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-2/170
School (Hometown): Suffield Academy (Suffield, Conn.)
Synopsis: Dottin’s ceiling is clearly high, but a redshirt might be in his future.
Dottin doesn’t have the best top-end speed — he turned in a 4.88-second 40-yard dash — and his frame could stand to add quite a bit of weight. (247 recruiting analyst Brian Dohn said he could “easily” add 20 pounds.) But he runs good routes, catches well and could be a force after getting acclimated in Happy Valley.
Dohn compared him to the New York Jets’ Robby Anderson, and that seems apt. Dottin is a possession receiver, and he has the potential to make an impact. He’s just more of a project at this early point, compared to some of the other receivers in this class. The good news? He’s set to enroll early.
He is ranked as the No. 302 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 51 receiver.
19. OT Jimmy Christ, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-7/300
School (Hometown): Dominion (Sterling, Va.)
Synopsis: Don’t be fooled by the stars. Christ is a coveted prospect with 40 scholarship offers, from schools such as Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
He’s quick enough to reach the second level, and he has the frame to add quite a bit more weight. Strength coach Dwight Galt should love working with him.
247 Sports analyst Brian Dohn compared him to the New Orleans Saints’ Terron Armstead, projecting him to be a Day 3 NFL draft pick.
Christ was originally committed to Virginia, but Penn State remained in contact. So when he decommitted last month, the writing was on the wall. Christ and OL coach Matt Limegrover reportedly got along well, so they’ll be working together a whole lot more now.
20. ILB Tyler Elsdon, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-2/230
School (Hometown): North Schuylkill (Ashland, Pa.)
Synopsis: Penn State picked up a throwback in Elsdon, who is one of four high school commits from Pennsylvania in the Nittany Lions’ 2020 class.
Elsdon is a traditional inside linebacker who plays well against the run but can struggle in the passing game. He tackles well in space and has a nose for the ball in the run game. His struggles show when he’s required to cover players in space, but he’s good enough in the run game to make up for it.
The Pennsylvanian doesn’t have the high ceiling of his classmates, but has a relatively high floor. He committed to the Nittany Lions less than a week after receiving an offer in June.
21. DT Fatorma Mulbah, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-3/275
School (Hometown): Susquehanna Township (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Synopsis: Mulbah will get to University Park as a ball of clay ready to be molded.
The Pennsylvanian has plenty of raw strength and will be in a position to make an impact if he can become a better football player. Mulbah has all the tools he needs to succeed as a defensive tackle, but he needs to learn to utilize pass rush moves and shed blocks instead of relying on overpowering his opponents.
Mulbah, who will enroll in January, is a long-term project but has the upside to make an impact down the road in his career.
22. DT Cole Brevard, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-3/305
School (Hometown): Carmel (Carmel, Ind.)
Synopsis: Penn State’s deep group along the defensive line is about to get much deeper, and that starts with Brevard.
The Indiana native chose Penn State over offers from schools like Clemson, Michigan and Michigan State. He has plenty of size to compete up front but could reshape his body and add more strength. Fortunately for Brevard, he’ll have extra time on campus as an early enrollee and will be able to get to work on getting into Big Ten shape in early January.
He’s almost a guarantee to redshirt as a freshman, thanks to the team’s deep defensive tackle group, but will have a chance to make an impact down the road.
23. RB Caziah Holmes, 4 stars
Height/weight: 5-11/190
School (Hometown): Cocoa (Cocoa, Fla.)
Synopsis: Another recruiting class, another big-name running back.
Holmes is the nation’s No. 4 all-purpose back and No. 169 overall prospect. He’s athletic, versatile and can do a lot of damage on the outside.
He’s a track athlete who can consistently run sub-11 second 100-meter times and has been clocked as fast as a 10.60. He isn’t as fast as current starter Journey Brown, who ran a 10.43 back in high school, but Holmes did turn in a respectable 4.49-second 40-yard dash at The Opening.
247 national writer Charles Power compared him to former Dallas Cowboys running back Lache Seastrunk, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry over his college career at Baylor. Holmes has the talent to contribute immediately; Penn State’s depth here is the only thing that might immediately keep him off the field.
24. LB Zuriah Fisher, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-3/255
School (Hometown): Aliquippa (Aliquippa, Pa.)
Synopsis: Fisher is Penn State’s highest-rated commitment from Pennsylvania in the 2020 class. He’s also one of the most versatile players in the class and will have an opportunity to play several positions once he gets on campus.
The four-star recruit can line up at five of the positions across the front seven, and could realistically start his career at any of the five. Fisher has the speed and athleticism to play all three linebacker spots, even though he’s already 255 pounds. He carries the weight very well, but has enough of it to get in a three-point stance and play defensive end.
The Nittany Lions will have a lot of options with Fisher, who will likely redshirt his first year on campus.
25. TE Tyler Warren, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-6/235
School (Hometown): Atlee (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Synopsis: Warren is an athlete that can play a multitude of positions but, at Penn State, he’s penciled in for tight end right now.
He originally committed to Virginia Tech as a quarterback, before decommitting in May and opening his recruitment up to include schools projecting him as a tight end. Interest immediately picked up, and Penn State found itself competing against the likes of Michigan for his services.
His 40-yard dash is respectable for his height — 4.76 seconds — and he could contribute down the line after a likely redshirt this season.
He’s rated as the No. 38 athlete in the class and the nation’s No. 666 overall prospect.
26. TE Theo Johnson, 4 stars
Height/weight: 6-6/245
School (Hometown): Holy Names (Windsor, Ontario)
Synopsis: As the highest-rated offensive prospect in Penn State’s class — the No. 84 overall prospect in 2020 — Johnson is enrolling early in Happy Valley with some high expectations.
He’s the consensus No. 3 tight end in the class. He ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash at The Opening Finals, making him the fastest player there over 220 pounds. He boasts a 35-inch vertical, and he’s already garnering comparisons to former Penn State great Mike Gesicki.
Johnson still needs to improve his blocking, but he’s an elite pass-catcher and one that has the potential to replace Pat Freiermuth in 2021. According to Johnson, Freiermuth was pretty pleased about his pledge, too.
“He’s been saying for awhile now that they want someone like me in the room,” Johnson told Rivals, “because they want me to push them and make them better players.”
27. OT Olu Fashanu, 3 stars
Height/weight: 6-6/315
School (Hometown): Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)
Synopsis: Fashanu already has elite size, and those measurements are legitimate. He officially weighed in at 325 pounds on May 5 at The Opening Regional.
He picked Penn State over the likes of Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida. And he canceled visits to Michigan and Florida after committing to Penn State.
“I built a lot of relationships with the coaching staff since they offered me back in November,” Fashanu told 247 Sports. “The same with the recruits. It was really just a perfect fit.”
Fashanu is ranked as the nation’s No. 32 offensive tackle and No. 395 overall recruit.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 7:28 AM.
