By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

March 2, 2009

The Nittany Lions have a commitment from one of Big Ten country’s top quarterback prospects: P.J. Jones from McKees Rocks (Pa.) Sto-Rox.  But that doesn’t mean the Penn State staff is done looking at class of 2010 quarterbacks.

Anthony Gonzalez from Bethlehem (Pa.) Liberty has a host of scholarship offers, including one from Penn State.  Gonzalez visited PSU a number of years ago and plans to make another visit to State College in the near future.

“I’ve been to Penn State once, back in sixth or seventh grade,” Gonzalez said.  “I’m going to get back there after basketball season.”

The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound Gonzalez has been Liberty’s starting quarterback since the beginning of his sophomore season.  He passed for 1,200 yards and rushed for close to 600 that season.

Gonzalez led Liberty to a 15-1 record and a state championship his junior season.  He passed for 1,580 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,670 yards and 24 touchdowns.  Gonzalez was intercepted just four times.

Gonzalez has been a varsity starter on the Liberty basketball team since his freshman season.  He is averaging 14 points per game this season.

“I haven’t visited any colleges because of basketball,” Gonzalez said.  “After basketball, I’m going to check out Pitt, Penn State, Maryland and Illinois.  I’ll go up to Michigan on the way to Illinois.”

Gonzalez said he has scholarship offers from Penn State, Pitt, Illinois, Maryland, West Virginia, Missouri and Florida State.

“I don’t have any favorites right now,” he said.  “I have to check out schools and see what I like.”

In addition to the schools he plans to visit soon after basketball season ends, Gonzalez said at some point he also might visit Alabama, Florida State and Oregon.

When asked about Penn State, Gonzalez said, “The campus is beautiful.  They have great tradition.  It’s a great school.”