FB RECRUITING

Ja’Juan Seider Earns Major Recruiting Honor

The Penn State assistant coach was recognized as one of the nation’s top recruiters.

Published

1 month ago

February 9, 2023

Apr 13, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider looks on from the sideline during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State football’s Ja’Juan Seider received high praise this week, being named the top recruiter in the Big Ten according to 247 Sports. The news confirmed what many in the Lasch Building already know – Seider is one of the nation’s top recruiters.

Best in the B1G

Ja’Juan Seider earned the title of best in the Big Ten by coming in as the highest-ranked coach from the conference in 247 Sports’ top-25 recruiting rankings. The list was based on each coach’s composite recruiting rankings following the 2023 cycle.

Ranked fourth in the nation, Seider narrowly beat Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who is widely considered one of the best assistant coaches and recruiters in the country. Seider and Hartline are the only two coaches in the Big Ten to make the top-15 of the recruiter rankings.

Even further, Seider is the only Big Ten coach not on the Buckeye’s staff to crack the top-25. Kevin Wilson, who has since left Ohio State to become the head coach at Tulsa, came in at No. 22 overall. Longtime Penn State assistant Larry Johnson finished at No. 18 following this cycle.

Swiss Army Knife

Seider has long been praised for bringing high-level talent to Happy Valley. The list of names recruited by Ja’Juan Seider is now becoming longer and more distinguished with each recruiting cycle.

This past cycle was perhaps Seider’s best as a recruiter. Eight of Seider’s nine commitments in the 2023 class were four-star talents. The running backs’ coach is now labeled a “Swiss Army Knife” of recruiting, attracting talent on both sides of the ball. Some of his significant commitments in this cycle include Alex Birchmeier (OL), Tony Rojas (LB), King Mack (S), Kaveion Keys (LB), London Montgomery (RB), and Carmelo Taylor (WR).

Elite Company

In essence, Ja’Juan Seider was the best recruiter outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 2023. Three Alabama assistants rounded out the top five. This isn’t surprising, as the Crimson Tide claimed the best recruiting class in the nation in 2023.

Seider’s performance in the 2023 cycle shows what Penn State needs to do to compete in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions need elite talent and depth at all positions to challenge Ohio State and Michigan. Penn State already has this at some spots. But in 2022, we saw how wide the gap remains.

Penn State’s 2022 season exceeded the expectations of many. But to have continued success, the Nittany Lions will need to continue to recruit at a high level. Seider’s recruiting prowess has been growing for a while now. Hopefully, he can build on this success in the years to come.

Up Next

Penn State football recruiting: PSU trending for 2024 four-star defensive back

Don't Miss

Penn State Adds Four-Star Lineman Chimdy Onoh to 2023 Class

Click to comment

FB RECRUITING

An important 2024 visitor will be in State College this weekend

The Nittany Lions are facing a crucial visit this weekend.

Published

22 hours ago

March 21, 2023

CJ Mangum

NiTareon Tuggle visit Penn State football

Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Malick Meiga (80) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Friday (March 24th), an important visitor will be in State College for the first time in his recruitment. NiTareon Tuggle, a four-star wide receiver from Northwood High School in South Bend, IN, will be on an unofficial visit with James Franklin and his Nittany Lions. If Penn State football wants to climb back into the picture with Tuggle, Friday’s visit will be crucial.

Penn State football to host important 2024 wide receiver

On Friday, Penn State football will host one player: NiTareon Tuggle from South Bend, IN. Tuggle is rated as a three or four-star recruit depending on what network you are using, though Rivals has him as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 59 wide receiver in the 2024 class and the No. 4 player in the state of Indiana. Tuggle has a number of massive programs after him right now, though it appears that Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Georgia (among others) are battling it out towards the top.

What does NiTareon Tuggle have to say about the Nittany Lions?

Here is what four-star receiver NiTareon Tuggle had to say about the Penn State football team earlier this month:

“They really want me,” he told On3. “They wanted me to come up and visit. It shows that they want to prioritize me. … I basically just hope to see the same energy they’ve been showing on the phone,” Tuggle said. “Just showing that they want me, like a good relationship. It’s gonna start with the relationship basically and just see how the vibes are from the campus to the coaches.”

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

FB RECRUITING

Penn State lands commitment from 2023 Alabama offensive tackle

The Nittany Lions added a late commitment from a 2023 offensive lineman from central Alabama.

Published

24 hours ago

March 21, 2023

CJ Mangum

2023 Alabama recruit commits to Penn State football

Oct 5, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Steven Gonzalez (74) lines up for a snap against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Tuesday, the Nittany Lions landed a late commitment from a 2023 offensive line prospect. Henry Boehme, a 2023 Alabama recruit, will join the ranks of the newest Penn State football recruiting class as a walk-on — his latest visit with the Nittany Lions (over the weekend) clearly went ell enough to lock him down.

Committed! @RecruitMtnBrook @CoachWild15 @YeagerSpartanFB @coachjfranklin @CoachTrautFB @Coach_Elby @CoachDScott1 pic.twitter.com/lGyG4gM2XN

— Henry Boehme (@BoehmeHenry) March 21, 2023

Penn State football lands 2023 Alabama recruit

Henry Boehme is an unranked 2023 Alabama recruit from Mountain Brook High school, which sits over 850 miles from State College, PA. Boehme may be unranked, but his frame and potential are key points for James Franklin and his staff — he could be developed into something special during his time with Penn State football. Here is what the 2023 Alabama recruit had to say about Penn State, James Franklin, and his commitment.

“It didn’t take long for me to see the culture at Penn State and how great it was,” Boehme told Blue-White Illustrated. “It is an extremely hard working group that cares about each others’ success. It’s an opportunity to grow as a player and a person. You can be surrounded by the best, which will only make you better.”

“Coach Trautwein (the Penn State football offensive line coach) really made an effort to develop a relationship with me and talked me in to coming up,” Boehme added. “Coach Franklin was also great in the process. He is big on telling you what you will get over what you want to hear.”

We don’t expect Boehme to start right away, though the frame and potential are there, and he makes a great addition to the 2023 Penn State football recruiting class.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

FB RECRUITING

Penn State looking to sway 2024 cornerback from SEC during Wednesday’s visit

The Nittany Lions are gearing up to make a push for a sought-after 2024 cornerback on Wednesday.

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2023

CJ Mangum

Penn State football making push for 2024 cornerback

Nov 13, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Beaver Stadium. Michigan defeated Penn State 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sport

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Tomorrow, the Nittany Lions will have a very special guest on an unofficial visit to Happy Valley. James Franklin and his Penn State football team will be hosting three-star 2024 cornerback Jayden Coleman, an Alabama native, in an attempt to sway him from SEC country to State College.

2024 cornerback Jayden Coleman to visit with Penn State football on Wednesday

Tomorrow will be the first time that 2024 cornerback recruit Jayden Coleman steps foot on campus. Coleman is only rated as a three-star 2024 cornerback; however, he has the potential to be a four-star by the time the class ends, and has the frame and skills to be a standout in the Blue and White if Franklin & Co. can get him in the black shoes and basic blues.

According to 247, Coleman is a three-star corner, and while he is not ranked nationally yet, he is ranked as the No. 39 cornerback in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 24 player in the state of Alabama. Thus far, Coleman has visited with Auburn four times and Tennessee twice — a few other schools have one visit to this point, and Penn State football will join these ranks after his trip to University Park on Wednesday. Coleman is sought-after due to his high ceiling and sizable 6-1, 180-pound frame.

Coleman favored to land in the SEC, but Wednesday’s visit could change that

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, four SEC schools lead in his recruitment thus far: Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. Still, if all goes well during his first visit with Penn State football tomorrow, there is no reason the Nittany Lions cannot swoop in and steal the lead. The RPM gives Auburn the best odds of landing the 2024 cornerback with a 37.7% shot at locking him down.

So far in the 2024 recruiting class, the Penn State Nittany Lions have one other cornerback: four-star Kenny Wolseley from Philadelphia, PA. If Franklin and his staff can add another talented corner with some size, the 2024 defensive backfield could be looking elite by the time the class wraps up.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.