Feedback Following Penn State’s Final Prospect Camp

STATE COLLEGE - Penn State is fresh off hosting its final prospect camp of the summer, which took place on June 17 and 18. The camp featured a massive amount of talent from the 2028 and 2029 classes. As Penn State looks to ramp up its efforts to recruit the 2028 and 2029 classes, I spoke with a few of the prospects who were in attendance this week. The prospects were asked to answer three questions: How would you describe the energy of the new staff, how would you describe your relationship with your position coach, and could you see yourself at Penn State if given the opportunity?

Tyrie Davis-Winn (2028 Four-Star OT) - Drexel Hill, PA - “I love the new staff, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet the old staff, but just the energy of Matt Campbell, Coach Clanton, Coach Jackson, and Coach Xavier was great. Coach Xavier, Coach Clanton, and I talk pretty often. They check in with me a lot to let me know I am a huge priority for them for my class. It was good working with Coach Clanton at the camp. I really like the way he coaches. The end of the camp didn’t go well for me, which was on me, and they also had some good edge rushers there. But at the end, Coach Clanton took me to his office and showed me film of my camp performance and critiqued it. I really enjoy that. I can see myself at Penn State for sure!

Tyson Verdream (2028 EDGE) - Montour, PA - “The energy of the new staff is amazing, bringing high energy to every single rep. I got great work with Coach Smith, my position coach. It was only the first time, but I believe this relationship will grow. Penn State is definitely somewhere I could see myself in the future!”

Zion Smith (2029 Linebacker) - Pittsburgh, PA - “The new staff’s energy is very positive and very straightforward. My relationship with my position Coach (Coach Veidt) was great, and I can’t wait to be back up there. I can see myself at Penn State.”

Bobby Nenstiel (2029 OT) - Bloomsburg, PA - “I love the new staff, Coach Clanton, Coach JSB, and Coach Allen are the main coaches I worked with personally. I love the direction they are taking the offensive line. Their experience and reputation with Iowa State in the past, I believe, will help make Penn State an even better program. Over the past three camps for PSU, I have been able to talk and develop a relationship with multiple coaches. Including Coach Clanton, Coach JSB, and Coach Allen. They were all excited to see me today and have been helping me improve my technique over the past weeks. Penn State has been my favorite program ever since I was little. I have been to many PSU games in my life, and it would fulfill my childhood dream to play here if I have the opportunity.”

Ernesto Ballesteros (2028 EDGE) - West Hartford, CT - “Energy was great from the new staff! I learned a lot from them and was pulled aside by Coach Christian Smith, who gave me work with a couple other top prospects. It was a great experience and was great to compete and learn from them for sure. The relationship with Coach Smith was great. At first, he didn't know who I was, as I didn't have much film at EDGE and had most of my recognition as an Offensive Tackle. But as he saw my measurements and testing scores and that I was playing EDGE, we got a lot more work in together, including being pulled off to the side and getting coached up in drills as well as one-on-ones. Then we ended the day with a great tour of the facility. I would 100 percent say that I could see myself at PSU. Since I was young, PSU has always been one of my dream schools, and after working with the coaches and seeing the amazing facilities, I could definitely see myself at Penn State!”

Frank Hoerst (2029 Quarterback) - Woodstown, NJ - “The new coaching staff seems great. They were very welcoming, and it was really exciting to work with them throughout the camp. The environment just felt great as a whole. Working with Coach Waters was really cool. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and encouraging. Yes absolutely (I could see myself at Penn State)! It would be an honor.”

Gianni Keyes (2029 Quarterback) - Homestead, PA - “The new coaching staff was awesome, they were extremely nice and helpful. Their energy as a whole let me have a very good camp. Coach Jake Waters really helped me by telling me what I need to work on the most and explaining why that helps me be a great Quarterback. If PSU gave me an opportunity, I would love to go there. When I was at the prospect camp, the way I was treated by the coaching staff, it already felt like home. Hopefully, they do give me an opportunity very soon.”

Trae “Slender Man” Ford (2028 Wide Receiver) - Windsor, CT - “The coaching staff’s energy was great today at camp! They really made us compete, they pushed us to be our best selves, and they are willing to go the extra step to coach you up during or after a drill. The coaches all come from great backgrounds as well and have been through all levels of the game, so I think the chemistry they have with each other is very high. My relationship with Coach Moore is quite strong. He stopped by Loomis during the winter this year, which was when I first met him. From there, we stayed in touch, and I ended up camping at Penn State today, where I met back up with him. Being from Connecticut, Coach Moore and I connect very well, continuing to grow our connection with every interaction, and today was great catching up with him. I can definitely see myself playing at Penn State if I were given the opportunity. They preach a lot about competitive nature, loving the game of football, and having a mentality far from others, and I definitely have all of those things checked off. Every day, my love for the game grows, and I am a very competitive person. If I don’t have someone to push me or anyone to challenge me, I don’t want to participate because I do not want to take the easy way out of things. I think as my relationship with the coaching staff, and I improve more as a player, Penn State is definitely a college I can see myself being a student athlete at.”

Brody Walchak (2029 Wide Receiver) - Schuylkill Haven, PA - “The staff’s energy as a whole is great. Everyone is approachable and easy to talk to. Coach Zay Jacks offers a lot of help, and Coach Terry Smith has a great attitude. He invited me out to a game this year, and every position coach seemed very helpful. Coach Campbell talked to the group before and after the camp and had great information and seemed very wise. He will for sure keep the great Penn State tradition alive. My relationship and work with my position coach was amazing. They taught everyone and encouraged everyone. Everyone has equal attention and help when needed. Given the opportunity, I would love to play at PSU and follow in my brother’s footsteps as he also played at Penn State.”

Now that Penn State’s camp season is officially over, the hard part remains. The staff will now work on their evaluations while they continue to build and shift their recruiting boards. One thing that has seemed to pop out is that the new staff is bringing a whole new energy to the program. I look for Penn State’s 2028 class to be a top 15 class in the country.