20 years later: Remembering PSU's top-ranked 1997 recruiting class

On Wednesday, Penn State is set to sign its Class of 2017, one that is expected to finish as the best yet under head coach James Franklin.

Twenty years ago, the Nittany Lions inked another stellar class, one that many considered to be the best in the entire country. It featured six future NFL draft picks, an eventual Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl champion, an Army soldier and many future business leaders.

As another group of recruits are set to follow in the Penn State tradition 20 years later, let's review one of the best signing classes in school history and what they accomplished.

The headlines of the February 1997 print issue of Blue White Illustrated read, "In a Class by Itself."

With Penn State signing a 20-member class, and then adding one more the Saturday after national letter of intent day, most recruiting pundits ranked its Class of 1997 as the best in the country. These were the days before websites like Rivals.com, star ratings and comprehensive online ranking databases, but the general consensus was that head coach Joe Paterno, for the third year in a row, boasted a better haul than the majority of the teams in college football.

Student Sports, Prep Star, Bill Buchalter of the Orlando Sentinel and The G&W Recruiting Report each ranked Penn State No. 1 overall, while SuperPrep and Tom Lemming put it among the top five. Almost every publication considered LaVar Arrington to be the best overall recruit in the country, and he was just one of Penn State's headliners, as the Feb. 26 BWI cover highlighted how “All-American LaVar Arrington leads a parade of stars to Happy Valley.”

In total at least eight were considered high school All-Americans and almost everyone was an all-state selection. Nine of the players hailed from Pennsylvania; four from New Jersey and Ohio; three from Virginia; and one from Massachusetts.

When their careers had all wrapped up at PSU, they had amassed a record of 38-22 between 1997-2001. Their best season came in 1999, finishing 10-3 and with a win over Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl. In 2000 and '01, as many of the best players of this class began departing for the NFL, they finished with records of 5-7 and 5-6, respectively.

Six ultimately went on to be drafted while a few more saw professional action as undrafted free agents.

Let's go back through BWI's recruiting bios from that February 1997 print edition with a look how each ended up at Penn State and what they did afterward.

AS A RECRUIT Parade Magazine’s Player of the Year, Arrington was widely considered the top recruit in the country. He rushed for 4,357 career yards and on defense he amassed 352 career tackles and nine interceptions. Recruited by defensive backs coach Tom Bradley, Arrington committed to Penn State in April of his junior season and didn’t take any more official visits.

WHAT CAME NEXT A two-time All-America selection in his three years at PSU, he won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and Chuck Bednarik Award as the country’s top defensive player in 1999. In his final season he made 72 tackles, 20 TFL, nine sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one that he returned for a TD, and two blocked kicks. The Washington Redskins selected him No. 2 overall in the 2000 draft. He played there until 2005 before spending one season with the New York Giants. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Arrington finished his pro career with 357 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and three interceptions.

RECRUITING RECAP The first player in Upper St. Clair history to start three years at both OT and DT, Bisson committed to Penn State in February 1996 without visiting any other schools. Recruited by Bradley, Bisson was the first verbal commitment of this class.

WHAT CAME NEXT After spending most of his career as a reserve offensive tackle, he lettered in 2000. During his time at Penn State Bisson put heavy emphasis on business, technology and his academics. He’s now a project manager at an IT consulting firm based in New York City.

RECRUITING RECAP With 14 career interceptions, Blomgren was the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Player of the Year and was an all-state selection on defense. Recruited by Fran Ganter, Blomgren chose Penn State over Florida State and Nebraska. He was also a three-year starter at QB, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing for nearly 2,000 more and 16 scores.

WHAT CAME NEXT After a redshirt season he saw spot duty at safety and special teams in 1998, Blomgren then opted to transfer to Delaware for more playing time. He finished his playing career at West Chester.

RECRUITING RECAP A standout on both offense and defense, Boyd was a high school All-America selection. He totaled 86 tackles his senior year. Recruited by offensive line coach Bill Kenney, Boyd chose Penn State over Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

WHAT CAME NEXT A four-year letterman at safety, Boyd was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2000 after recording three interceptions, recovering a fumble and scoring a touchdown. He was selected in the third round (No. 94 overall) in the 2001 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent two seasons in the pros and recorded 14 tackles.

RECRUITING RECAP Named the No. 1 WR in the nation by Parade magazine, Branch concluded his career with 99 receptions for more than 2,300 yards. In addition to being an All-America selection, he also won first-team all-state honors three years in a row, the first Virginia player to do so. Recruited by Kenney, Branch took one official visit, to PSU, and committed over offers from Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and Virginia.

WHAT CAME NEXT After beginning his career as a WR who caught five passes for 79 yards as a freshman, Branch switched to defensive back for his final three seasons and recorded three interceptions. He also had 109 career punt returns for 1,171 total yards and four TDs and is still considered one of the better PR in school history. Undrafted, Branch spent two seasons with the Washington Redskins and played in one game.

RECRUITING RECAP A two-way starter for every game as a junior and senior, Caruso was a tackling machine while also an efficient blocker. Named first-team all-state by the Newark Star-Ledger, Caruso was also the recipient of the Brooks-Irvin Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, which was given annually to the top student-athlete in Southern New Jersey. Recruited by Kenny Jackson, Caruso only considered and visited PSU.

WHAT CAME NEXT A strong scholar-athlete, Caruso spent his career at Penn State as an offensive lineman, earning four letters and his first start at guard as a junior. He battled various injuries late in his career. He is now a senior vice president for Williams-Sonoma, according to his LinkedIn account.

RECRUITING RECAP Crenshaw had originally planned to sign with Ohio State, but after signing day he asked assistant coach Jay Paterno to continue recruiting him. Less than one week after signing day, Crenshaw committed to the Nittany Lions.

WHAT CAME NEXT Lettering in 1998, '99 and 2001, Crenshaw began his PSU career at WR before moving to safety as a senior. Playing in seven games on defense he collected nine tackles and had two pass break-ups. He also blocked two field goals and an extra point. As a receiver Crenshaw had 20 career catches for 288 yards and one TD. He also played two stints as a reserve on the PSU basketball team, once as a freshman and then again as a fifth-year senior.

RECRUITING RECAP As a junior and senior – he played only two years of high school football – Easy amassed 2,193 rushing yards and 28 TD, averaging 13.8 yards per carry. A consensus All-America selection, he was named Gatorade’s and USA Today’s Player of the Year in Massachusetts. Recruited by assistant coach Joe Sarra, Easy made visits to Penn State and Syracuse. He canceled official visits to Michigan, Notre Dame and USC after his commitment to PSU.

WHAT CAME NEXT Playing a mix of tailback and fullback and lettering three years at PSU, he totaled 659 career rushing yards for an average of 4.3 yards per carry and five touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for a total of 250 yards. Selected in the fourth round of the 2001 draft (No. 107 overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs, Easy played four professional seasons before a knee injury cut his career short. He later received his Ph. D. in educational leadership from Penn State and worked in the football offices before returning home to Everett where he is now a high school administrator.

RECRUITING RECAP As a senior Gilmore tallied 35 receptions for 667 yards and seven TDs. Considered one of the three best tight ends in the country, Gilmore earned all-state honors from the Associated Press. Recruited by Jackson, Gilmore committed to Penn State in the spring of his junior year and didn’t take any further visits.

WHAT CAME NEXT Winner of the Hall Foundation Award as Penn State’s outstanding senior player and an elected co-captain, Gilmore’s career included 58 catches for 634 yards and three touchdowns. A three-year letterman, he was selected in the sixth round (No. 196 overall) by the New Orleans Saints in 2002. He went on to play in 10 seasons, also for the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and recorded 55 career receptions for 544 yards and six TDs.

RECRUITING RECAP Along with his friend Arrington, Graham was one of the two best LBs in the country. He finished his prep career with 361 tackles, 18 sacks and 12 fumble recoveries. A USA Today first-team All-American, Graham chose Penn State over Michigan State and Pitt. Bradley was his lead recruiter.

WHAT CAME NEXT Graham lettered from 1998-2001 and played in at least 11 games in each of his four seasons. In addition to the game-clinching interception in the 1999 Alamo Bowl against Texas A&M, Graham’s career finished with 122 total tackles. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is now a teacher in the Philadelphia Area.

RECRUITING RECAP An injury shortened Hannon’s senior season to just two games, but that didn’t stop him from being ranked one of the top five place-kickers in the country. Recruited by Ganter, he chose Penn State over Boston College, Syracuse and Virginia, and earned his scholarship after an outstanding camp performance in June before his senior year.

WHAT CAME NEXT After a redshirt season that put Hannon as the third-string kicker, he transferred to Villanova in 1998.

RECRUITING RECAP A two-time Division VI All-Ohio selection, Hartings was credited with more than 60 tackles as a senior on the DL and graded out with an 85-percent blocking percentage on OL. Recruited by Jay Paterno, Penn State was Hartings’ biggest scholarship offer. He’s the younger brother of Jeff Hartings.

WHAT CAME NEXT A guard at Penn State, Hartings battled a back injury for a large portion of his career. He missed the 1999 season after surgery, as well as his senior year. He earned two degrees from Penn State and lettered in 2000.

RECRUITING RECAP Playing in a Wing-T offense, Jones’ offensive stats were limited to just 10 receptions for 174 yards as a senior. On defense he recorded 74 tackles and five sack. A second-team Division II All-Ohio pick, Jones was recruited by Jay Paterno and only visited Penn State.

WHAT CAME NEXT A two-year starter on defense and a four-year letterman, Jones recorded 35 tackles and was tied for third with three sacks as a senior. A team captain, Jones had 16 TFL for his career. Also a long snapper, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.

RECRUITING RECAP After recording 62 tackles as a senior and being named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Fabulous 22 team, Jones enrolled at Kiski Prep for a year of post grad after falling short of NCAA eligibility standards. Recruited by Bradley, Jones considered only Penn State.

WHAT CAME NEXT After a redshirt season at Penn State, Jones suffered a gunshot would while in his hometown in January 1999. It required a five-hour operation, according to the Centre Daily Times. It’s unclear if he ever played for the Nittany Lions after the incident.

RECRUITING RECAP Jue helped lead Chantilly to its first state championship and was his team’s leading rusher, totaling 1,252 yards and 15 TDs. He was also the team’s leading receiver and on defense he was credited with 73 tackles and and three interceptions. An all-state honoree who earned honorable mention All-America recognition from the USA Today, Jue chose Penn State over Michigan and Virginia. He was recruited by defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

WHAT CAME NEXT After tallying nearly 100 tackles in his PSU career along with seven interceptions, Jue was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (No. 71 overall) of the 2001 draft. After lettering three years for PSU, he went on to play seven professional seasons for four different teams and totaled 181 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.

RECRUITING RECAP Considered by many to be top offensive line prospect in the nation, McKenzie was an All-America selection who was recruited by Jackson, Kenney and Ganter. He chose Penn State over offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. He played only two years of high school football.

WHAT CAME NEXT A three-time All-Big Ten honoree who lettered four seasons, McKenzie started 11 of 12 games as a senior before being drafted in the third round (No. 79 overall) by the New York Jets in 2001. He later won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants (XLII and XLVI). He played in 157 career NFL games, starting 149. He is currently in pursuit of a doctorate degree.

RECRUITING RECAP McKinney set his school’s record for career tackles and finished with 132 in his senior year. He also had 17 TFL and 10 sacks, helping lead Mars to its first WPIAL AA title. He was considered by many to be a top 100 prospect in the country. Recruited by Bradley, McKinney committed to Penn State after taking unofficial visits to Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.

WHAT CAME NEXT Played two seasons with Penn State, recording four tackles in three games in 1998. He is not listed among the school’s list of all-time lettermen.

RECRUITING RECAP A three-year starter, Mitchell was credited with more than 20 pancake blocks as a senior. A first-team all-state selection by the AP, Mitchell earned the Maxwell Award that goes to southeastern Pennsylvania's top high school football player. Recruited by Ganter and Jackson, Mitchell’s only official visit was to Penn State, but he also considered Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Syracuse.

WHAT CAME NEXT After starting in the Citrus Bowl as a freshman, Mitchell moved around the OL for much of his career before settling back in at starter at guard in 2000. Those were the only two years he lettered. In ’00, he earned the Frank Patrick Memorial Award, presented to a junior who displays "total commitment" to academics, off-season preparation, on-field progress and community service.

RECRUITING RECAP A three-year, two-way starter Ransom was a fearless blocker on offense and recored 52 tackles and four sacks as a senior on defense. A first-team all-state selection by the Newark Star-Ledger, Ransom was also an honorable mention All-America pick by USA Today. Recruited by Ganter, Ransom committed to PSU after unofficial visits to Duke and Maryland.

WHAT CAME NEXT Ransom was a three-year letterman and two-year starter on the Nittany Lions’ OL before joining the Army after his college career. He began basic training in the spring of 2003 and was deployed to Iraq the following fall.

RECRUITING RECAP Hauling in 27 passes for 506 yards and six TDs as a senior, Stewart was an all-state selection by the AP. The Allentown Morning Call also named him the Lehigh Valley's Offensive Player of the Year. Recruited by Ganter, Stewart committed to Penn State over Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina and South Carolina.

WHAT CAME NEXT A three-year letterman and two-year starter at Penn State, he finished his career with 59 receptions for 861 yards and three touchdowns. He was drafted in 2001 by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round (147th overall) and scored a touchdown in his first game. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders. Stewart went on to become founder of Beyond the Locker, a youth sports camp that prioritizes athletic training as well as life skills.

RECRUITING RECAP Playing every down as a senior on both offense and defense, Stoffer was a first-team all-state selection. Recruited by Jay Paterno, Stoffer chose Penn State over Michigan, Ohio State and Kentucky.

WHAT CAME NEXT Stoffer was declared ineligible by the NCAA and was forced to delay his enrollment by a year. In his first season with PSU in 1998 he injured the ACL in his left knee during the first day of preseason practice. He is not listed among the school’s list of all-time lettermen.