Penn State Recruiting: California OL Drake Metcalf raves about PSU visit
Penn State hosted California offensive lineman Drake Metcalf Saturday for an unofficial visit.
A 6-foot-3, 270 pound interior lineman from St. John Bosco outside Los Angeles, Metcalf earned an offer from the Nittany Lions a little over three weeks ago, Feb. 21. Since then, he’s been speaking with multiple members of the coaching staff - notably Matt Limegrover and Terry Smith - at least twice a week. Now, his interest in coming east for college has grown even more following this weekend’s visit.
“I would have to say the hospitality that they showed us this whole entire weekend. That really impressed me,” Metcalf said, when asked what stood out to him about the visit. “They had other offensive linemen and other players here this weekend, but I feel like they really took me under their wing and spent a lot of time with me. It was just a really good time.
“I got to sit-down with Coach Franklin, Coach Limegrover and Coach Smith. After practice and after the photo shoot, I got to spend time with Coach Limegrover and we watched my highlight tape. He was showing me some of the different things that he loves about my game. He stressed how violent I am and how I give 110 percent every play. I don’t ever stop until the guy is on the ground. But yeah, I enjoyed that talk. Really, the whole trip was amazing. Seeing practice and the high-tempo that they run is impressive. Also, sitting in meetings with the coaches and players. All of that was just awesome. My trip, as a whole, was just phenomenal. I really do love it here in Happy Valley.”
One thing that will play a major role in Metcalf’s decision is the education that a school can offer. With a 4.2 grade-point average, Metcalf has proven to be an exceptional student, and he plans to put that to good use in college.
“I’m really looking at a few different aspects when it comes to each school and of course, education is going to be very important,” said Metcalf. “I’m looking at pre-law right now. I’d be interested in being a lawyer, but I’m also interested in being an orthopedic surgeon and I know that Penn State has a good pre-med program. My grandfather was an orthopedic surgeon in California, so that’s something I’m interested in, too.
“But overall, Penn State is an incredible school, which is great. Everything they talked to us about was impressive. Honestly, Penn State is one of those schools that really can provide what I’m looking academically and in football. My dad and I were talking about that recently. Stanford, Notre Dame and Penn State are three schools that can really deliver on both fronts. There are a lot of things that will go into my decision, but from an academic and football perspective, Penn State is great.”
So far, Metcalf has earned 14 Division I scholarship offers. Some of the top programs include Arizona State, Florida State, North Carolina, Oregon and USC. He’s also been given the opportunity to play at Dartmouth and Yale in the Ivy League.
Metcalf has no plans to rush a decision, but one thing that’s already clear is that distance won’t be a factor.
“I get people asking me all the time about how I would feel playing on the East Coast and leaving my parents,” he said. “Sure, they may not be able to come see me every weekend, but if I came to Penn State, they’ll be able to watch my on the Big Ten Network. That’s pretty cool.
“But honestly, I don’t have any problem coming all the way out here to play in college. How many people get this opportunity, ya know? There aren’t too many high schoolers that can say they have a scholarship offer from Penn State University, so that alone puts them very high on my list. Finding that balance between education and football will be very important to me and Penn State checks off both of those boxes.”
In addition to Penn State, Metcalf has been able to visit Arizona State, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia Tech. He’s now planning to visit USC this upcoming weekend, March 23. He’ll then go to Stanford April 6-7. As for when he’ll return to Penn State, he’s already tentatively planning to come back in the fall so he can see a game inside Beaver Stadium.
“Most definitely,” Metcalf said, when asked if Penn State will receive an official visit. “I’m looking forward to coming back for an official visit in the fall so I can bring my mother. She wasn’t able to make it this weekend with my dad and I, but I already told their coaches that I’m looking forward to taking an official visit this fall so I can bring both my parents.”
Penn State is now planning to host a handful of Metcalf's teammates at St. John Bosco Monday - Tuesday. A few players that are expected to make the trip include Kobe Pepe, James Smith, Kourt Williams, Beaux Collins and Earnest Greene.