Since James Franklin’s arrival, Penn State’s recruiting efforts in the secondary have been cyclical. And the Nittany Lions’ 2019 crop of corners and safeties might turn out to be the staff’s best yet.
Franklin, coordinator Brent Pry and assistants Terry Smith and Tim Banks inked five defensive backs on Wednesday: Four-star cornerbacks Keaton Ellis, Joey Porter Jr. and Marquis Wilson, four-star safety Tyler Rudolph and JUCO safety Jaquan Brisker. The players’ average 247 Sports prospect rating is .8960, above Penn State’s 2015 class that included John Reid and Garrett Taylor.
Penn State needed this strong secondary cycle after a less-than-ideal return on its 2018 crop.