The Penn State staff is putting the finishing touches on their 2010 recruiting class. Joe Paterno’s group of 18 commitments is currently the No. 1 class in the Big Ten and one of the country’s best.
With so much of his 2010 recruiting completed, Paterno and his staff are working on their 2011 class having already extended scholarship offers to several juniors.
They are also working ahead towards 2012. One such prospect they are already in contact with is linebacker/running back Jaylen Prater from Wellston, Ohio.
The 6-foot-1 and 215-pound Prater was an all-district selection his freshman season when he played inside linebacker and fullback. Prater made 55 tackles that season. He had 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. On offense Prater, carried the ball 94 times for 515 yards and five touchdowns.
Wellston coach Jason Mantell feels his star athlete will likely play linebacker in college, but fullback is also a possibility.
“He’s a great blocker,” Mantell said. “He is the entire package. He is an intense competitor. He’s very mature for his age.”
Prater has been held out of the first five games this season with a left knee sprain he sustained in the second pre-season scrimmage. He might return to action this weekend.
Last weekend Prater was in State College. He attended the Penn State-Iowa game as a guest of the Nittany Lions. Prater also attended a Penn State game last season.
“Illinois, Ohio State and Penn State know who he is,” Mantell said. “They have all contacted him through the mail. Louisville, Iowa and Akron are three more.
“I know he’s a big fan of Penn State. He’s been there twice in two years.”
Kurelic’s Comment: Prater is a name Penn State fans should definitely keep in mind for the future. He has a chance to be one of the top prospects in the Ohio class of 2012.
Prater arrives early on radar
