James Franklin and his staff landed their top remaining 2017 target in four-star cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, who picked the Nittany Lions over Alabama and Maryland on National Signing Day.

Truly blessed to be committed to Penn State University! #WeAre #GODBLESS pic.twitter.com/1u1n6KQAIE

— Tariq Castro-Fields (@TCF5_) February 1, 2017

Castro-Fields hails from the same high school as redshirt freshman corner Zech McPhearson — Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Md. He’s considered the nation’s 26th-ranked corner and the fifth-best prospect out of Maryland this cycle, according to 247Sports.

Castro-Fields has the length cornerback coach Terry Smith covets, checking in at 6-foot-1 with a deceptively quick stride. After all, he was a dangerous punt returner on the high school level and routinely made reservations for six on special teams.

Penn State’s 2017 recruiting class is up to 21 members and almost certainly finalized. Though he’ll arrive on campus with a crowded depth chart at his position, Castro-Fields and fellow corners Lamont Wade, Donovan Johnson, and D.J. Brown could have a chance to show what they can do as freshmen. Odds are a few will use their redshirt, however.

You can check out his Hudl highlight reel right here.

Welcome to Penn State, Tariq!

About the Author

Ethan Kasales

Ethan’s a senior journalism major who grew up in Lemont, a few minutes from campus. When he’s not covering Penn State sports, you can usually find him golfing or teaching snowboarding at Tussey Mountain. Feel free to email him at [email protected].

Penn State Football Outlasts Washington 28-25

The Nittany Lions clawed their way to 414 total yards against the Huskies.

Penn State Hoops Falls To Pitt 82-76 In Annual Palestra Game

The game had a total of 50 fouls between the two teams.

‘End It On Our Terms’: Penn State Football Proves Growth After Finishing Through Adversity

“At the end of the day, we have to go out there and drop our nuts and go out there and win the game.”