By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

July 10, 2009

The Nittany Lions remain on a roll.  Joe Paterno has picked up verbal commitment No. 12 in the class of 2010 as Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s quarterback Robert Bolden announced moments ago he has selected Penn State.

Bolden said he picked Penn State over Oregon, Louisville, Northwestern, Vanderbilt. In all, Bolden had 23 offers before selecting the Nittany Lions.  He made his announcement this morning at St. Mary’s High School.

"I haven't told the other schools yet, but I picked Penn State," Bolden said. "I felt comfortable with the school. I've been up there a couple of times. I met some players and just felt comfortable with everything. The campus is beautiful. Everything just felt right."

The 6-foot-4 and 199-pound Bolden passed for 1,000 yards and rushed for over 500 during his junior season.  He has a strong and accurate arm and can also put pressure on opposing defenses with his speed and ability to make things happen when a play breaks down.

Bolden attended the Penn State Senior Camp June 26-27 and came away impressed.  If the Nittany Lions were not his No. 1 choice entering camp, it became obvious they were after it.

Once the camp ended it seemed to be just a matter of time until Bolden committed to Penn State.  That time came this morning.

Paterno now has commitments from two of the Big Ten region’s top quarterback prospects: Bolden and P.J. Jones from McKees Rocks (Pa.) Sto-Rox.  Jones is Pennsylvania’s top quarterback prospect.

"It doesn't affect me," Bolden said of Jones' commitment. "I'd rather walk in the door with a guy coming in with me. We'll be on an even playing field.

"I feel like I can compete with anyone."

With the quarterback position finished for 2010, Paterno and staff can turn their attention elsewhere as they craft what could be their best recruiting class in a number of years.

Kurelic’s Comment:  Paterno’s 2010 recruiting class is shaping up as one of the country’s best.  It is the Big Ten’s top class at this point.

ESPN’s national director of recruiting, Scouts, Inc.'s Tom Luginbill, weighed in on Bolden's commitment:

"Between Kevin Newsome from the 2009 class, Paul Jones in the 2010 class and now Bolden, we feel Bolden is the best of the three and a vital pick-up for the Nittany Lions as their QB depth is now starting to get replenished. He has upside as a passer, but is also a fine dual-threat prospect that can create some real mismatches with his legs.
 
It has been interesting to watch the trend for Penn State move toward a more athletic signal-caller over the last three classes as opposed to the prototypical pocket passer. The coaching staff has obviously seen the advantages it creates in the Big Ten when the quarterback has to be accounted for defensively as a runner."