Topics

More

Four Penn State Commits Headed To Nike’s ‘The Opening’

Penn State commits Brandon Smith, Devyn Ford, Caedan Wallace, and Hakeem Beamon will join forces this weekend for Team Elite at Nike’s The Opening.

This year marks the first time the prestigious high school football combine and 7-on-7 tournament is being held somewhere other than Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR.

The Dallas Cowboys will host the 22nd annual event, which runs Saturday through Tuesday, at their extravagant 91-acre Frisco campus called “The Star.” The $1.5 billion project, funded primarily by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is also home to an entertainment district and the Ford Center, a 12,000-seat indoor stadium.

Ford, Smith, and Beamon all committed to the Nittany Lions within a two-week window from May 18 to June 1, while Wallace gave his verbal to James Franklin prior to the Blue-White game.

Franklin’s 2019 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 23 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten, with nine prospects already in the fold.

The Penn State commits on hand in Texas will have plenty of time to chat with high-priority targets like Zach Harrison, Kardell Thomas, Noah Cain, John Dunmore, Eric Gray, Lance Dixon, and Jahleel Billingsley.

Penn State’s high-powered offense averaged 41.1 points per game last season.

Thomas, the nation’s top offensive guard prospect, committed to LSU in July 2016, but the Baton Rouge native still plans to take all five of his official visits, including one to State College for the Ohio State game this September.

Cain or Gray could potentially join Ford as the next generation of Penn State running backs. Both hold the Nittany Lions in high regard and are being recruited by new position coach Ja’Juan Seider.

Harrison, a defensive end from Lewis Center, OH, is the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect this cycle, according to 247Sports. He took an official visit to Penn State for the team’s annual spring scrimmage on April 20.

Top 2020 targets Bryan Bresee and Chris Tyree also earned invites to the four-day talent showcase, which has seen hundreds of alumni go on to find prominent roles in the NFL.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

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 Athletics Announces College Football Playoff Student Ticket Information

Students can request tickets via a lottery system until 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29.

What To Do In Pittsburgh Over Thanksgiving Break

Yinz ready for break? We compiled the events to keep you busy during your break back in the ‘burgh!

Staff Picks: Where We Want To Be Buried Around Penn State

From their freshman year dorm to Mount Nittany, our staffers shared where they’d like to be buried around Penn State.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
62.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Ethan

Thanks For The Memories: Ethan Kasales’ Senior Column

Onward State staffer Ethan Kasales reflects on the past few years and everyone who helped make his college experience so rewarding.

Four-Star Defensive Tackle D’Von Ellies Commits To Penn State

Three-Star Defensive End Smith Vilbert Commits To Penn State