PSU Welcomes Four Early Enrollees
Penn State welcomed four new players to its roster Monday, as defensive back Lamont Wade, offensive lineman Mike Miranda, linebacker Brelin Faison-Walden and wide receiver KJ Hamler officially began classes.
While all four prospects ranked near the top of the staff’s recruiting board at their respective position, Wade was the most coveted of the group. A 5-foot-9, 190 pound five-star from Clairton, Pa., Wade was not only the number one ranked player in Pennsylvania this year, but he also earned the title as the nation’s number one cornerback. Currently, he’s ranked ninth overall, at any position, in the Class of 2017. Wade is also expected to contribute as soon as next season. As for what position he’ll play, that won’t be worked out until spring practice, but both safety and nickelback are realistic options.
This season, Wade led Clairton to 14 consecutive wins between the regular season and playoffs. The Bears made it all the way to the PIAA Class A State Championship, but lost to Bishop Guilfoyle. Playing running back, he totaled 2,368 yards rushing, averaging an impressive 13 yards per carry. He also scored 32 touchdowns. In addition to earning All-State honors, Wade was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania. He was also an Under Armour All-American.
Wade’s roommate for the semester, KJ Hamler, had his senior season cut short before it really started. Following an impressive junior campaign at St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake, Mich., the 5-foot-9, 165 pound receiver decided in June to join IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Unfortunately, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason game, forcing him to sit out the season. Since then, Hamler hasn’t discussed his rehabilitation with the media, so it’s still unclear how much he’ll be able to contribute once spring practice begins in March. A four-star prospect, Hamler is the 43rd-ranked wide receiver and the 58th-ranked prospect in Florida.
Assistant coach Matt Limegrover will have another young, talented interior lineman to mold this spring in Miranda. At 6-foot-3, 295 pounds, the Stow, Ohio, native could play offensive guard at some point in his career, but he’s expected to workout at the center position this spring. Like most lineman, we project that Miranda will redshirt, but as Limegrover and offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead proved this past season with Connor McGovern, they’re not afraid to throw freshman into the mix if they prove they’re ready to contribute.
After finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, Stow-Munroe Falls were knocked out of the OHSAA Division I playoffs in the second round, losing to St. Edward. Despite the fact that he’s an offensive lineman, Miranda was so dominant that he was actually named Offensive Player of the Year in the Suburban League. He also earned All-State honors, was ranked No. 16 nationally at offensive guard and was the 14th-ranked prospect in Ohio.
Miranda will room with Faison-Walden. A four-star linebacker from Grimsley High in Greensboro, N.C., Faison-Walden committed to Penn State back in July, but he went on to take official visits to Michigan, N.C. State and Georgia in the first three weekends of October. He then took an official visit to Penn State, Oct. 22-23, for the game against Ohio State before using his fifth and final official to see Virginia Tech in November. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Faison-Walden is expected to workout at one of the two outside linebacker positions this spring. Physically, his frame will easily allow him to add weight in the coming year, so we expect the staff to have him focus on that, but immediate help is needed at the position, so a redshirt isn’t a given.
While Grimsley finished the season with a 4-7 record, Faison-Walden had an excellent year, recording 75 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception. In addition to being All-State, his coaches named him Defensive Player of the Year for his team. Faison-Walden is the 20th-ranked outside linebacker and the sixth-ranked player in North Carolina.