By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

June 28, 2009

It comes as no surprise.  Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith defensive lineman Evan Hailes has committed to Penn State.

“Yes, I committed,” Hailes said.  “To start with, I had a lot of options.  But Penn State always talked about me getting my degree, not just being a football player.  They treated me like family.  Everything was right.”

Hailes narrowed his list of 30 scholarship offers down to five schools, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, North Carolina State and LSU.  He told NittanyNetwork.com that he would visit Penn State this weekend, and then make his college choice by the end of the week or early next week.

Since Hailes had not visited North Carolina State and LSU, his decision was almost certainly going to come down to the other three schools, with the Nittany Lions getting the last shot.

Hailes travelled to Penn State with his mom, dad and girlfriend.

Hailes, who is on the ESPNU 150 Watch List, was recruited by Bill Kenney and Larry Johnson.

The 6-foot-1 and 310-pound Hailes started at both defensive and offensive tackle during his junior season.

Hailes made 81 tackles including 11 sacks in helping his team go undefeated, 15-0, and win a state championship last season.  He is looking forward to one more big high school season before heading off to State College.

“I’m going to graduate in January and get started early at Penn State,” Hailes said.

Kurelic’s Comment:  Hailes commitment gives Joe Paterno nine pledges for his 2010 class.  It’s also gives Paterno a potential force in the middle of his defensive line.