Penn State’s recruiting day got off to a disappointing, though not entirely surprising, start when Antonio Alfano, a four-star defensive tackle from New Jersey, committed to Alabama on Friday.
The Nittany Lions and Georgia were the other finalists for Alfano, a 6-feet-4, 285-pounder who is ranked fourth in the nation at his position by Rivals.
Former Penn State assistant Josh Gattis, now with Alabama, is believed to have played a major role in persuading Alfano to commit to the Crimson Tide.
While losing Alfano undoubtedly stung a bit, the Nittany Lions could rebound nicely if Devyn Ford, a five-star running back from Fredericksburg, Va.