By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

April 24, 2009

The Penn State Blue-White Game is Saturday in State College and what was already an impressive prospect list expected to be in attendance got even better in the past 24 hours.

On Thursday, Annandale (N.J.) North Hunterdon tight end Kevin Haplea told Nittany Network he will be in State College on Saturday.

“I’m going to Penn State’s Spring Game,” Haplea said.  “Our baseball game on Saturday was cancelled so that opened up the weekend for me to go to Penn State.”

The 6-foot-4 and 235-pound Haplea is one of the top tight end prospects on the East Coast.  He caught 17 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns during his junior season.  Haplea also played defensive end and made 58 tackles including nine sacks.

“I have nine (scholarship) offers now,” Haplea said.  “Florida State offered (Thursday).  South Florida offered last week.  Pitt, Penn State, Syracuse, Miami, West Virginia, Rutgers and Purdue are my other offers.”

Haplea visited Penn State in early March and again at the end of the month, when he attended a spring practice session.

There is a solid chance the Nittany Lions will still be on his list when Haplea narrows things down.

“I’m definitely interested in Penn State,” he said.  “I e-mailed Coach (Bill) Kenney (on Thursday).
 
“I’ll make some more visits early in the summer, then narrow things down some.  Hopefully I’ll narrow my list down by the end of the summer.  Right now it’s hard to say who I like best.”