'09 PA QB Curtis Drake (Penn State Verbal)

[AustinScottistheone]

Originally Posted by Undercover Brother

Shoop and Drake would be an utter failure. None of them if an alpha QB. JMO

Well hell, I'm all out of ideas! Like I said it is May and we are already at the point where it is basically Tate Forcier and who?, scary. If not Tate then who is ahead of Andrew Shoop as far as trying to secure a commitment from more of a traditional passer who doesn't need 2-3 years of development to see the field and be an able passer? QB recruiting worries me every year... year after year the staff does nothing to ease those concerns.

I like Curtis though, just not sure he will ever play QB at Penn State but I would not mind having him. If it is a toss-up between Curtis and Craig Crawford I think I have to go with the in-state kid the staff has been aware of for years.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

5/29

From BWI...plans to visit PSU and then likely decide. Has offers from Penn State and Northwestern and interest from Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Maryland.

[PSU42Fan]

Expect a verbal in the next 48 hours.

[HotMic]

Committed. Story coming.

[GoRU]

West Catholic's Drake picks Penn State | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/11/2008

Curtis Drake, a 6-foot, 175-pound quarterback from West Catholic High, gave Penn State an oral commitment during a visit yesterday.
Drake said that he had all but made up his mind before yesterday's trip but made the trek to State College for the sake of his mother, Schante Smith Roberson, and his stepfather, Robert Roberson.

They met with Drake's recruiters, assistants Ron Vanderlinden and Mike McQueary, and head coach Joe Paterno. At the conclusion of the meeting, Drake informed them of his decision.

"I just liked everything about the school," said Drake, who had an offer from Northwestern and was attracting attention from Georgia Tech and Maryland. "I've already been up two times before and just felt comfortable."

The senior has led the Burrs to two straight Catholic League Blue Division championships. And though he said Penn State coaches assured him he'd have a shot at playing quarterback, his future is likely at wide receiver.

"I'd rather be a quarterback," Drake said. "But if I have the opportunity to get on the field faster as a wide receiver, I'm fine with that."

Drake plans to announce his decision tomorrow in an 11:30 a.m. news conference at West Catholic. He is the 12th recruit from the Class of 2009 to make a commitment to the Lions.

[Undercover Brother]

Originally Posted by PSU42Fan

Expect a verbal in the next 48 hours.

Well, I hope to God the coaching staff places him at QB, instead of WR/DB that is being bantered about. If not, this could cost us a pretty good talent down the road due to spots. I shutter to think Drake's verbal could cost PSU a Justin Brown (its top WR target who is waiting a bit), or a Shawney Kersey (supposedly a done deal if he gets his test score), or a Tyree Watkins. As far as DB, this would be six. This could cost a Jordan Love, or a Gerald Hodges (even though I think he is a LB in waiting).

[PSU42Fan]

Originally Posted by Undercover Brother

Well, I hope to God the coaching staff places him at QB, instead of WR/DB that is being bantered about. If not, this could cost us a pretty good talent down the road due to spots. I shutter to think Drake's verbal could cost PSU a Justin Brown (its top WR target who is waiting a bit), or a Shawney Kersey (supposedly a done deal if he gets his test score), or a Tyree Watkins. As far as DB, this would be six. This could cost a Jordan Love, or a Gerald Hodges (even though I think he is a LB in waiting).

UB - I don't think Drake will scare off anyone. Not to say the kid can't play, but the QB thing will allow PSU to attract WR and DB's, as well as a #1 QB.

[AustinScottistheone]

Originally Posted by Undercover Brother

Well, I hope to God the coaching staff places him at QB, instead of WR/DB that is being bantered about. If not, this could cost us a pretty good talent down the road due to spots. I shutter to think Drake's verbal could cost PSU a Justin Brown (its top WR target who is waiting a bit), or a Shawney Kersey (supposedly a done deal if he gets his test score), or a Tyree Watkins. As far as DB, this would be six. This could cost a Jordan Love, or a Gerald Hodges (even though I think he is a LB in waiting).

I honestly don't worry much about this, the staff would be foolish not to tell WR/DB recruits that Curtis Drake is the #2 QB in this class until proven otherwise. I doubt Justin Brown is worried. If Shawney Kersey is supposedly a done deal when he gets his test score(s) than he should be commit #13 before Curtis Dukes or anyone else gets the opportunity to commit near the end of the month. I don't know what the deal is with Tyree Watkins.

Jordan Love seems to be playing games, and is enamored with the most recent "happening's". Gerald Hodges seems content to let things play out and I can't see how this would cost us here, Gerald is LB or S all the way. I personally see Curtis as Deon Butler's replacement, he seems real smooth when he is running and his moves are "gliding" like IMHO. It could potentially cost us at WR but I'm happy with Curtis as a WR and I think that is where he will contribute IMHO. I'm not about to concern myself with Justin Brown, he's not coming here without Kevin Newsome or Tate Forcier at QB...same can probably be said for Watkins.

EDIT - # of scholarships certainly won't be a problem. If WRs or DBs are worried about the numbers game then look no further than the 5 or 6 WRs that will be gone after '08 & '09, or the 4-5 CBs and 3 safeties that will be gone by '09. And as far as WRs, I really want Jaleel Clark and can't understand what the hold up is. I know he isn't guaranteed to be a part of this class but isn't he coming up on the 25th? And he was just here...I would personally like to see us offer Malcolm Bunche [OG] from Delaware unless things are really looking good with Pete White.

[PSU42Fan]

Originally Posted by AustinScottistheone

I honestly don't worry much about this, the staff would be foolish not to tell WR/DB recruits that Curtis Drake is the #2 QB in this class until proven otherwise. I doubt Justin Brown is worried. If Shawney Kersey is supposedly a done deal when he gets his test score(s) than he should be commit #13 before Curtis Dukes or anyone else gets the opportunity to commit near the end of the month. I don't know what the deal is with Tyree Watkins.

Jordan Love seems to be playing games, and is enamored with the most recent "happening's". Gerald Hodges seems content to let things play out and I can't see how this would cost us here, Gerald is LB or S all the way. I personally see Curtis as Deon Butler's replacement, he seems real smooth when he is running and his moves are "gliding" like IMHO. It could potentially cost us at WR but I'm happy with Curtis as a WR and I think that is where he will contribute IMHO. I'm not about to concern myself with Justin Brown, he's not coming here without Kevin Newsome or Tate Forcier at QB...same can probably be said for Watkins.

EDIT - # of scholarships certainly won't be a problem. If WRs or DBs are worried about the numbers game then look no further than the 5 or 6 WRs that will be gone after '08 & '09, or the 4-5 CBs and 3 safeties that will be gone by '09. And as far as WRs, I really want Jaleel Clark and can't understand what the hold up is. I know he isn't guaranteed to be a part of this class but isn't he coming up on the 25th? And he was just here...I would personally like to see us offer Malcolm Bunche [OG] from Delaware unless things are really looking good with Pete White.

To address a couple of things you said...

1. Watkins has PSU in his Top 2-3. PSU has a good chance of landing him, from what I understand.

2. Brown is considering PSU with or without Forcier/Newsome...although landing one of them wouldn't hurt. He will possibly be back up to PSU sometime during the month.

3. Clark had a poor showing at the Nike Camp...so much so that the staff has apparently cooled on him. He will need to have a solid performance at the Senior Camp or he will get the strong hint that PSU isn't interested.

4. Some are optimistic about White, others are not (waiting for UB...).

[AustinScottistheone]

Originally Posted by PSU42Fan

To address a couple of things you said...

1. Watkins has PSU in his Top 2-3. PSU has a good chance of landing him, from what I understand.

2. Brown is considering PSU with or without Forcier/Newsome...although landing one of them wouldn't hurt. He will possibly be back up to PSU sometime during the month.

3. Clark had a poor showing at the Nike Camp...so much so that the staff has apparently cooled on him. He will need to have a solid performance at the Senior Camp or he will get the strong hint that PSU isn't interested.

4. Some are optimistic about White, others are not (waiting for UB...).

Thanks for adding some clarity to my mess of a post.

1. I had not realized that Watkins had such high regard [top 2-3] for Penn State this early, this is obviously a good thing. Hopefully getting one of the NJ WRs will lead to the other following. If we split between Kersey [likely leader for some time now, with a commitment if the scores are there] & Watkins [top 2-3] I can live with that.

2. I would just like to stay realistic and not get my hopes up too high. Justin is simply blowing up, plain and simple. The longer his recruitment drags on without Penn State securing a legit QB for the future, the longer the opposition is in his ear telling him that there is nobody to get him the ball at Penn State...I've got to believe this would get some play.

3. I was aware of this. From what I understand his speed was underwhelming, but he is still a big body with soft hands who can beat press. He is relatively raw, if you watched 6'4-6'3 Justin Brown and 6'4-6'3 Jaleel Clark it wouldn't even be fair; Justin Brown is just so smooth for his size, probably runs the best routes out of any WR we are pursuing and has great hands. I would still like to see him in this class, hopefully he takes it to another level at the senior camp.

[Undercover Brother]

Originally Posted by PSU42Fan

To address a couple of things you said...

1. Watkins has PSU in his Top 2-3. PSU has a good chance of landing him, from what I understand.

2. Brown is considering PSU with or without Forcier/Newsome...although landing one of them wouldn't hurt. He will possibly be back up to PSU sometime during the month.

3. Clark had a poor showing at the Nike Camp...so much so that the staff has apparently cooled on him. He will need to have a solid performance at the Senior Camp or he will get the strong hint that PSU isn't interested.

4. Some are optimistic about White, others are not (waiting for UB...).

NOT optimistic on White whatsoever.

[FrankBooth]

Originally Posted by Undercover Brother

NOT optimistic on White whatsoever.

let's hope the Shrive/Longo mojo is still at work!

heh