Analysis: What Jaylen Reed's Commitment Means for Penn State

Penn State picked up its second four-star commitment Thursday in Michigan safety Jaylen Reed. For safeties coach Tim Banks, this commitment is a major victory. Not only is he adding an exciting prospect to his position group, but he's adding a prospect from Detroit, which is not only Banks' primary recruiting territory, but also his hometown. In fact, Banks played at the same high school, Martin Luther King.

But what does it mean to Penn State's Class of 2021? Ryan Snyder takes a closer look.

New Annual Subscribers and Monthly Upgrades get Fan Store Credit

Landon Tengwall is the highest-ranked prospect so far - and likely will be for awhile - but I think you can make an argument that, when the class is all said and done, Reed will be one of the most important. Not only is he a four-star player, but he's projected to play safety, one of the most important positions in this year's class. Numbers are always fluid in recruiting, but I could see at least three safety prospects signing this year. When you add in cornerbacks, Penn State will likely sign five defensive backs come December, maybe even six if top prospects like Tony Grimes and Derrick Davis are still available late.

So, which other safety prospects should fans follow? I've already logged a pick for Maryland native Zakee Wheatley. A four-star prospect from Archbishop Spalding, Wheatley made it clear recently that he'd like to visit other schools, but he's also been to Penn State five times since last year's Lasch Bash barbecue. Pittsburgh natives Derrick Davis and Donovan McMillon are also very much in play. Davis is the top overall safety prospect for the Nittany Lions, and just like Wheatley, he's been to University Park more than any other school. McMillon has actually earned more offers, however, and he's been on fire lately, adding both Georgia and LSU earlier this week.

UPDATED: 8:20 PM ET - Wheatley tweeted Thursday evening that he's planning to announce his commitment tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM ET. Sources have indicated that Penn State's coaching staff feels good about its chances.

With just four commitments, Penn State still needs players at every position. The Lions are considered the favorite with cornerback prospect Kalen King, as well as his brother, linebacker Kobe King. Both are expected to become the fifth and sixth members of PSU's class tomorrow. The announcement is set for 2:30 PM ET.

If they do end up joining the Nittany Lions, that would not only give Penn State three commitments in three days, but also three players from Detroit. That's a major win for Tim Banks. He and Brent Pry are also working on linebacker Jamari Buddin, who plays at Belleville High School, which is about 30 miles west of downtown Detroit.

Buddin just announced his top seven over the weekend, but sources have suggested that he's really down to Penn State and Michigan. The Wolverines are still the favorite, but I think myself and others may have underestimated Penn State's chances with Buddin. His FutureCast page suggests that Michigan is a major favorite and that's absolutely not the case. With that said, Buddin told me this week that he's still at least a month away from a decision. But with Penn State only expected to take two linebackers this year, one of whom should be official tomorrow, that could help James Franklin and his staff push for a commitment in the coming weeks.

Penn State moved up 13 spots to No. 19 overall in the 2021 Rivals Team Rankings. If all goes to plan on Friday, the Lions will move up three more spots to No. 16 overall. That's still lower than many fans would like to see currently, but it's important to remember that Penn State had just five commitments at this point last year and only three commitments in the Class of 2019. Also, if you look ahead at the schools higher than Penn State in the rankings, eight of those 15 schools would have a lower average star ranking compared to the Nittany Lions. As long as the King brothers don't shock the world tomorrow, that would put Penn State ninth overall in average star ranking when compared to other schools with six commitments or more. Not a bad start.

*******

• Talk about this article inside The Lions Den

• Watch our videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel

• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue-White Illustrated

• Follow us on Twitter: @BWIonRivals, @NateBauerBWI, @RivalsSnyder, @DavidEckert98, @ThomasFrankCarr

• Like us on Facebook