Penn State’s defensive tackle depth picked up a big boost Tuesday afternoon when three-star junior college defensive tackle Tyrell Chavis committed to the Nittany Lions.

Chavis is originally from Richmond, VA and enrolled at Virginia after doing a prep year at Fork Union Military Academy, but he left the program after only spending one year with the Cavaliers. He then enrolled at Nassau C.C. (Garden City, NY) where he’s become one of the most coveted junior college prospects in the nation, picking up offers from Auburn, West Virginia, Miami, and Texas, among others.

The first thing that sticks out about Chavis is his size. Listed at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 315 pounds, Chavis is already a monster of a man. There’s not much work to be done physically, which is a big positive for a Penn State defensive line that will need Chavis to contribute the moment he steps on campus. Simply put, Chavis is a powerful football player that can not only take on blockers and clog running lanes, but will also be a handful when rushing the passer.

Replacing Austin Johnson, Antony Zettel, and Tarow Barney is going to be a big task for defensive line coach Sean Spencer, but getting a junior college transfer like Chavis who will be provide an instant impact will certainly make life easier. The Nittany Lions will still be relying upon many unproven players — redshirt sophomore Antoine White, and redshirt freshmen Robert Windsor and Kamonte Carter — but if nothing else, Chavis will provide ample depth for a youthful defensive tackle unit.

Welcome to Penn State, Tyrell.