Penn State football makes top 10 for coveted linebacker recruit

Penn State football is called “Linebacker U” for a reason. Arguably, no school has had more success at the position. Names like LaVar Arrington, Shane Conlan, Jack Ham, Tamba Hali, Micah Parsons, and now Abdul Carter have all donned the blue and white. These are just a few of the greats to strap up for the Nittany Lions.

Linebacker remains a position of focus for James Franklin and his team. Currently, the Nittany Lions have Abdul Carter, Curtis Jacobs, and Kobe King fulfilling the linebacker tradition. Future prospects such as Tony Rojas, Ta’mere Robinson, and Kaveion Keys will likely have prominent roles soon.

To maintain excellence at the position, the Nittany Lions have been making a strong push for a top linebacker in the class of 2024.

Jamonta Waller Lists Penn State football in His Top 10

In the class of 2024, Penn State has secured commitments from two linebackers. One of these commitments is from four-star recruit Anthony Speca, while the other commitment comes from three-star recruit Kari Jackson. Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach Manny Diaz is leading the recruitment of a top linebacker for the team.

Jamonta Waller, a talented linebacker/edge rusher from Picayune, Mississippi, is among the notable prospects. Last season, Waller recorded 11.5 sacks and forced one fumble. Standing at 6-2 and weighing 225 pounds, Waller is listed as an edge rusher by 247 Sports, while Rivals and On3 categorize him as a linebacker. He is expected to excel in a 3-4 system that maximizes his pass-rushing abilities.

According to the 247 Sports Composite Ranking, Waller is a four-star recruit and ranks 102nd overall in the country. In 247 Sports’ own ranking, he is considered a five-star recruit and the 22nd overall player. Regardless, Waller exhibits immense talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Waller’s top 10 schools of interest include Penn State, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, and Texas A&M. On May 6th, Ole Miss recruiting insider David Johnson placed a crystal ball prediction on Ole Miss as Waller’s potential destination.

BREAKING: Elite 2024 LB Jamonta Waller is down to ? Schools!

The 6’2 230 LB from Picayune, MS is ranked as a Top 80 Player in the ‘24 Class

Where Should He Go???https://t.co/Y66VWatysK pic.twitter.com/lGCvGvhHPq

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 13, 2023

While Waller may be inclined to stay close to home, he has an official visit scheduled for June 9th to visit the Nittany Lions. Franklin, Diaz, and the team are hopeful that bringing Waller to campus will enhance their chances of securing the talented linebacker. If Waller were to commit to Penn State, he would join the esteemed list of linebacker greats to have played in Happy Valley.

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