By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

July 27, 2009

Annandale (N.J.) North Hunterdon tight end Kevin Haplea announced his college choice moments ago at a press conference at his high school.  As expected, Haplea is commitment No. 14 for the Nittany Lions.

Haplea actually told the two Penn State assistant coaches involved with his recruitment of his decision almost three weeks ago.

“I did a silent verbal over the phone,” Haplea said.  “I called Coach (Dick) Anderson and Coach (Bill) Kenney on July 7.  I let them know I had picked Penn State, but to keep it under wraps.  I wanted to wait to tell Coach (Joe) Paterno in person.”

Paterno has been on vacation, but had to be happy to return to good news.

“He got back over the weekend,” Haplea said.  “Me, my parents and my two sisters drove out there on Saturday.  We went out to lunch with Coach Anderson and Coach Kenney.  Then we had a meeting in Coach Paterno’s office.  I told him I was going to Penn State.  He was pretty excited.”

Haplea visited Penn State three times.  The last time was for the ‘Blue-White’ game.

“My first time I was there I was blown away,” Haplea said.  “The campus is beautiful.  You could tell there was a buzz around the place.  Penn State jumped in early.  They were my second offer.  They didn’t wait until 15 or 20 other schools had offered.”

Haplea has 23 scholarship offers including Penn State, West Virginia, Pitt, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, Miami, South Florida, Louisville, Syracuse, Clemson, Rutgers and Purdue.  He had narrowed his decision down to the first five before selecting the Nittany Lions.

“If Penn State were not in the mix it would have probably been West Virginia,” Haplea said.  “But I have a good relationship with Coach Kenney and Coach Anderson. 

“And the depth chart looks good.  They graduate two senior tight ends next year.  Everything just fell into place.”

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.

Haplea plans to graduate in December, enroll at Penn State in January and take part in spring practice.

Kurelic’s Comment:  The Nittany Lions’ recruiting roll continues.  This has the potential to be the best class Paterno has put together in a number of years, and now includes an outstanding tight end prospect.