DeMatha OL Golden Achumba recaps midweek visit to PSU
Penn State welcomed DeMatha prospect Golden Achumba and his family to campus Wednesday to watch spring practice.
A 6-foot-4, 320 pound offensive lineman, Achumba has now taken five visits to Penn State if you include the two camps he worked out in last June. However, he just recently earned an offer James Franklin in the beginning of February, making this his first visit since.
“The family atmosphere that they have. That was probably the main thing that stood out to me," said Achumba. "As soon as we got there, their coaching staff was waiting for us to shake our hands. They showed me that I’m important to them.
"I also had good meetings with their offensive line coach [Matt Limegrover]. We sat down and watched film and stuff. I also had a good talk with Coach Franklin about the future.”
Regarding his conversation with Franklin, Achumba added, “He just showed me that he really wants me, that he wants my family to be part of the Penn State family. He thinks we fit the Penn State family and how they run their program.”
Another highlight of the trip was watching Penn State's eighth spring practice of 2019.
“I learned about the importance of hand placement and technique, that kind of stuff," said Achumba. "It’s the little things that matter. That’s what it boils down to. But they get after it. They’re motivated by their coaches.”
A few weeks back, Achumba hinted that he was getting closer to making a commitment. However, he has since clarified, noting that he just wants to make a decision sooner than he planned.
“I was just saying that a commitment could be sooner than I [originally] thought," he said. "It’ll probably come before my senior season. I’m not sure exactly when, but I would like to get it done before my season.”
The nation's 11th-ranked offensive guard, Achumba is currently in talks with Oklahoma and Michigan - both of which have offered - about taking an official visit to each school. Junior prospects are allowed to start taking official visits on Monday, April 1.
The Maryland resident now holds 28 verbal scholarship offers. Other notable programs include Florida, LSU, Michigan State, Tennessee and West Virginia. He's ranked No. 14 overall in Maryland for the Class of 2020.