Penn State secured two big commitments to its 2017 recruiting class over Blue-White weekend, adding beef to its offensive line in four-star guard/tackle C.J. Thorpe and three-star tackle Robert Martin. Their pledges were Nos. 5 and 6 in the Lions' class and vaulted the Lions' class into the top 20 in national rankings compiled by Scout (No. 20) and 247Sports (No. 20 composite).
Coach James Franklin won a crucial battle in Western Pennsylvania by keeping Thorpe in-state. A 6-4, 310-pound lineman from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Thorpe helped Penn State stop a mini-skid after teammates David Adams and Kurt Hinish gave verbal commitments to Notre Dame last month.