By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

June 3, 2009

Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes running back and ESPNU 150 Watch List prospect Marcus Lattimore pared his list of over two dozen scholarship offers to eight schools several days ago and Penn State made the cut.

The star back plans to visit Penn State in late June. When Lattimore arrives in State College, he won’t be alone.

Though the Nittany Lions have not offered a scholarship to Lattimore’s teammate, Nick Jones, they are interested and Jones will visit Penn State with Lattimore.

“I’m going with Marcus to Penn State on June 26-27,” Lattimore said.  “We are driving up there together.  That will be my first time up there.”

The 5-foot-9 and 170-pound Jones played wide receiver, running back and quarterback during his junior season.  He caught 64 passes for 816 yards.  Jones had 13 touchdowns.

In addition to those three positions, Jones will also play in the defensive backfield during his senior season.

“I’m being recruited as an athlete,” Jones said.  “A lot of people have me playing wide receiver or defensive back in college.”

Jones has scholarship offers from South Carolina, Northern Illinois and Georgia Southern.  He says he is looking at those three schools as well as Penn State, North Carolina, Auburn and Florida State. 

Jones feels a scholarship offer from the Nittany Lions may not be far off.

“I talk to Coach (Bill) Kenney on a regular basis,” Jones said.  “He tells me pretty much they are going to offer me.  He said they are waiting on my SAT score.  I just got that back.  When I called him and told him I got a 1,100 he was pretty excited.  I think I’ll get an offer from them.”

Jones said if the offer does come, Penn State will be one of his top choices.

“I haven’t been up there, but I’ve been watching them on T.V.,” Jones said.  “They are real serious about their football.  They are always in the Top 10.”

If the Nittany Lions end up offering Jones, one of their biggest challengers to signing him will be South Carolina.

“I feel comfortable around their coaches,” Jones said.  “I can call and talk to them anytime.  I feel at home at South Carolina.”