By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

Feb. 2, 2009

The Nittany Lions have offered a scholarship to one Youngstown-area junior, defensive back and running back Braylon Heard from Cardinal Mooney.  Heard is one of several Youngstown area class of 2010 prospects the Penn State staff is interested in.

Another is Youngstown Liberty linebacker Antonio Kinard.

The 6-foot-4 and 200-pound Kinard was a starter at inside linebacker during his sophomore season.  He helped lead Liberty to an 8-3 record during his junior season making 20 solo tackles with 66 assists.  Kinard registered six sacks. 

Kinard combines size with speed.  He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and is also on the Liberty track team.  He has run the 200 meters in 22.8 seconds and also long jumps.

Among the schools showing interest in Kinard are Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Illinois, Notre Dame, Boston College and Bowling Green.

“Jay Paterno came to our school about a week or so ago,” Kinnard said.  “I got his phone number.”

Kinard has only visited one school to this point, West Virginia.  He will visit others in the spring and summer.

“I think I’ll get out to Penn State sometime,” Kinard said.

Two of Kinard’s teammates, seniors Isaiah Bell and Fitzgerald Toussaint, have committed to Michigan.

To this point, none of the schools on Kinard’s list have offered a scholarship. But that could change by the end of the spring.  He is one of the top athletes in Youngstown.