One to watch: Tre Nixon
Top 2016 WR to watch:
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(6-foot-1, 170 pounds)
Viera, Fla.
Viera HS
One look at Tre Nixon's Rivals.com profile pretty much tells the story.
Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Texas have all offered, among many, many others. He's a popular, popular guy.
A Rivals.com four-star wideout, rated No. 191 in the country for the Class of 2016, has grabbed everyone's attention. Especially with his listed 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, maybe none are more interested than the Nittany Lions' coaching staff.
In fact, according to Blue White Illustrated recruiting analyst Ryan Snyder, the Nittany Lions are in an excellent position to potentially land Nixon eventually even with the increased attention since the start of the new year. "I still have a ton of interest in Penn State," Nixon told BWI. "The big thing for me is where I will be comfortable. I definitely feel like, with the visits I've taken there and the relationships I've built with their coaches, I know it's a place I'll be comfortable.
"That's one school where I not only will get a great education, but I also have the chance to play early and contribute, whether it's special teams or whatever. I love Penn State."
And Penn State loves Nixon right back.
Finding the stud prospect during the staff's satellite football camp at Stetson University, Nixon has since visited Penn State on two occasions, once back in August and again for the Ohio State game in October, with a third planned in the very near future. Not expected to be a part of this coming weekend's junior day on campus, Nixon said that he could still take another visit to Penn State sometime in March.
"I'm planning to head up there in the spring," he said "I have spring break coming up March 22nd, so that's when I'm looking to take a couple visits. I don't know exactly where we're going then, but I might even make it up there before that.
"The main thing right now that we're trying to figure out is open dates. I have some track meets coming up and I also have some football things that I have to go to. But a visit (to Penn State) will definitely happen before the summer."
And, according to an update from our fellow Rivals.com site TheWolverine.com, Nixon expects to start narrowing his choices in the near future.
"I don't know exact dates, but toward the end of spring, I'll narrow it down to 10 or 12 schools. Around next year, around my senior season, I probably want to make a decision around the end of my senior season, probably toward the middle or end."
Ryan's take: "Nixon is a very special player. While his speed is what grabs the attention of many, to me, it's his maturity that stands out the most. The combination of the two is why so many schools have offered in recent weeks, but this is one prospect that Penn State should be a real player with throughout his recruitment.
"Wide receiver isn't a major priority in 2016, but Tre Nixon is, without a doubt, one of Penn State's most important prospects for this cycle. He brings a different skill set than the majority of wide receivers that have enrolled or committed in recent years."