By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

June 29, 2009

Defensive lineman DaQuan Jones from Johnson City, N.Y., committed to Penn State over the weekend.  NittanyNetwork.com caught up with Jones to talk about this past weekend and his decision.

“Penn State is only about three hours away so we left about 6 a.m. on Saturday morning,” Jones said.  “When I got there I did the camp.  It was great.  I had a lot of fun.

“Being able to be coached by Coach (Larry) Johnson was great.  We did different drills, then after that we did one-on-ones with the offensive linemen.”

Jones drove to State College on Saturday morning with two Johnson City coaches.

“We went around the campus,” Jones said.  “And we sat down with Coach Joe (Paterno).  He explained what I mean to them.  He said I am an important player.  He said if I came there I would fill the void of No. 91 (Jared Odrick).

“After the camp was over I went to Coach Johnson’s office.  But before I did that I called my dad and told him I really liked it and asked him for his permission to commit.  Then I told Coach Johnson I wanted to commit.”

Jones attended two games at Penn State last season.  He saw the Nittany Lions play Temple and Indiana.  But the trip to State College this past weekend cemented his decision.

“The academic system at Penn State with all the tutors and all is amazing,” Jones said.  “I feel like you have to put effort into it to fail there.  Plus, I like the coaches.  Being coached by Coach Johnson sealed the deal.”

The 6-foot-4 and 300-pound Jones made 63 tackles during his junior season.  He is one of the top defensive tackle prospects on the East Coast.

Jones committed to Penn State over scholarship offers from Boston College, Maryland, Syracuse, Illinois, Rutgers, Connecticut, Pitt and a few others.

Kurelic’s Comment:  Penn State’s class of 10 verbal commitments is shaping up to be one of the country’s best.  Paterno is recruiting well both in Pennsylvania and outside state borders.