We are back (again) with our Hot List for the class of 2010.
There has been some activity since we last ran our list in mid-August and we certainly have changes. The Nittany Lions have landed commitments from two prospects on the list at that time: C.J. Olaniyan (No. 5) and Zach Zwinak (No. 13).
Editor's Note: Since this story was published, the Lions added my No. 5 prospect from this list: Dominique Easley. Stay tuned for next month's Hot List and see if the luck of No. 5 works again.
On the other hand, one prospect on our previous list is headed elsewhere. Corey Brown (No. 11), who I never thought would end up at Penn State, committed to Ohio State last weekend. Another prospect on our previous list, Arie Kouandjio (No. 9), is no longer interested. Kouandjio narrowed his choices down to eight schools and Penn State is not one of them.
Today Nittany Network presents a ‘Baker’s Dozen’ Hot List of prospects still in play. Our list is based on two primary factors: how likely it is the prospect ends up at Penn State; and the Nittany Lions’ needs as they fill out this recruiting class.
1. LB Khairi Fortt
Schools Considering: Penn State, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and USC
Kurelic’s Take: Fortt plans to announce his college choice in the next three weeks. I see Penn State winning out over Georgia.
Previous Ranking: 1
2. RB Marcus Lattimore
Schools Considering: Penn State, South Carolina, Oregon, North Carolina, Auburn and Florida State
Kurelic’s Take: Lattimore has changed his official visit to Penn State from the weekend of Oct. 10 to the weekend of Nov. 7 when the Nittany Lions play Ohio State. He has also added Florida State to his list, meaning things don’t get any easier for the Penn State staff.
Previous Ranking: 2
3. DL Sharrif Floyd
Schools Considering: Penn State, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Miami, Boston College and USC
Kurelic’s Take: Some may have wondered why I had Floyd at No. 3 on this list last month as there was thinking elsewhere Floyd wasn’t seriously considering PSU. I did not buy it and it now appears the Nittany Lions may be the team to beat.
Previous Ranking: 3
4. OL Robby Havenstein
Schools Considering: Penn State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Virginia and Wisconsin
Kurelic’s Take: The Nittany Lions landed Havenstein’s teammate, Zwinak. I can see them going two-for-two at Linganore High.
Previous Ranking: 4
5. DL Dominique Easley
Schools Considering: Penn State, Miami, Florida, Oregon, Rutgers and a few others
Kurelic’s Take: Easley’s interest in Penn State is on the rise. He has been planning to attend the Penn State-Temple game on Saturday.
Previous Ranking: 8
UPDATE: Easley committed to the Nittany Lions over the weekend after attending the Temple game.
6. OL Khamrone Kolb
Schools Considering: Penn State, Virginia and Connecticut
Kurelic’s Take: Kolb, who has narrowed his choices down to three schools, plans to attend the Ohio State at Penn State game.
Previous Ranking: 6
7. DL Mike Thornton
Schools Considering: Penn State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU Michigan and Miami
Kurelic’s Take: Thornton is not sure of the date yet, but says he will make an official visit to Penn State.
Previous Ranking: NR
8. DL James Carmon
Schools Considering: Penn State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama
Kurelic’s Take: Carmon has scheduled an official visit to Penn State for the weekend of Nov. 7 when the Nittany Lions play Ohio State.
Previous Ranking: NR
9. WR Kenny Stills
Schools Considering: Penn State, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, USC and others
Kurelic’s Take: Stills made an official visit to Tennessee last weekend. He has trips set to Penn State, Oklahoma and Florida. His visit to Penn State will be the weekend of Nov. 7.
Previous Ranking: 7
10. DL J.R. Ferguson
Schools Considering: Penn State, Notre Dame, USC, North Carolina, Boston College, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Michigan State, Illinois, Stanford, Tennessee and many others
Kurelic’s Take: Ferguson is non-committal on who the top schools on his list are, and his list is very long. He is expected to visit Notre Dame the weekend of Oct. 17 when the Irish face USC. It is hard to say who Ferguson is really serious about.
Previous Ranking: 10
11. LB Travis Williams
Schools Considering: Penn State, West Virginia, Miami, Tennessee, LSU and North Carolina
Kurelic’s Take: Williams is very interested in Penn State. But I think the other linebacker in this Nittany Lions class is going to be Fortt.
Previous Ranking: 12
12. RB Storm Johnson
Schools Considering: Penn State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Florida State, Oregon and a couple others
Kurelic’s Take: Johnson is scheduled to visit Kentucky this weekend. Where he ends up is almost anyone’s guess at this point.
Previous Ranking: NR
13. WR Nick Jones
Schools Considering: Penn State, South Carolina, Auburn and Michigan
Kurelic’s Take: Jones seems like he would commit to the Nittany Lions if an offer came. However, I don’t think the PSU staff will be able to squeeze him in this class.
Previous Ranking: NR
NN 2010 Hot List: September
