By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst
bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com
Sept. 1, 2009

Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton estimates his scholarship offer total to stand at 30.  The list includes Penn State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Miami and Michigan.

However, just one school is assured of an official visit.

“I haven’t scheduled any yet, but I will be visiting Penn State,” Thornton said.  “I’m not sure at the moment about any other visits.”

When asked why he will visit the Nittany Lions, Thornton said, “It’s something different.  I want to go up there and see it.  I like their tradition.  I’ve seen Penn State on TV.  I want to see what it is like.”

Thornton, the nation's 17th-ranked defense tackle according to Scouts, Inc., is being recruited by Penn State assistant Kermit Buggs.  But defensive line coach Larry Johnson is also involved. 

“Coach Johnson came down to my spring game and watched me play,” Thornton said.  “That impressed me that he came down here.”

Thornton said his official visit will be to one of the Penn State home games.  The most likely targets are the Iowa and Ohio State games.

The 6-foot-1 and 273-pound Thornton made 95 tackles during his junior season.  He had 49 solo tackles, 46 assists and three sacks.

Thornton and his teammates open up on Friday against Decatur (Ga.) Columbia.

Kurelic’s Comment:  If the Nittany Lions can land either Thornton or fellow defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd it would be huge.  If they could somehow land both it would be a spectacular haul for Joe Pa, especially in light of defensive tackle Evan Hailes also being part of the 2010 class.