Recruiting Notes: Jan. 25

Penn State comes into the weekend with 19 players signed in the Class of 2019.

The Lions also added DE Smith Vilbert one week ago, giving them 20 commitments overall. With all the departures we've seen, it looks more realistic now that Penn State will reach 25 commitments in this class. In fact, the number could actually climb above that figure, but we'd be surprised if James Franklin and his staff added that many high school prospects. Expect the many remaining scholarships to be filled with transfers.

So, who are we watching this weekend? Well, at this stage in the cycle, any of these players could decide to end it this weekend, but there are three that look more likely than the rest.

The most notable is four-star offensive lineman and Rivals250 prospect Doug Nester. Last week, the Huntington, W. Va. native took a second official visit to Ohio State - he was awarded a second trip due to coaching changes in Columbus - but from what we've gathered, not much has changed. He's also taken two unofficial visits to Penn State, the most recent of which was in December to watch a bowl practice. The fact that he saved his official visit for this weekend, and didn't take it then, always grabbed my attention. He's also been speaking regularly with Ja'Juan Seider and is friends with his son, Jaden. The two played youth ball together while dad coached at Marshall.

When we spoke with contacts close to Nester earlier today, we got the impression that it was 50/50 when it comes to him making a move this weekend. One thing that has changed is Ryan Day's visit schedule. Originally, it looked like he was going to visit with Nester Thursday night, but sources at Spring Valley said that Day will visit with Nester after his visit to Penn State, potentially Sunday evening. However, we are expecting a few Buckeye assistant coaches to be at his game Friday evening. If Day does wait until Sunday, that could give Nester a reason to hold off. Even if he does, I still believe that the Lions have become the team to beat here and a good visit this weekend should solidify that.

If there's one player that's more likely than the rest to make a move, I think it's wide receiver TJ Jones. Like Nester, the Lake City, Fla., native was also on the road last week, taking an official visit to Indiana. Since December, we've felt as if Penn State is the school that Jones is most interested in and that hasn't changed, even with the coaching change. Since Gerad Parker has joined the staff, Jones has spoken highly of the new receiver coach, so if all goes well, we wouldn't be surprised to see him leave town a Nittany Lion.

One other player I'll be keeping an eye on is Daequan Hardy, who could play wide receiver or defensive back. As of now, Hardy doesn't hold an offer from the staff and we're still not sure if that'll come this weekend. We know that both Terry Smith and Parker are very interested in Hardy, as he could play offense or defense, but this is totally up to Franklin here. Grades and character have never been an issue, so Hardy should fit in well with the rest of the class. I think it's more so about his size and whether or not they should use his scholarship with a transfer prospect instead. We'll know more come Sunday afternoon/evening, but if Penn State does offer, I expect Hardy to jump on board immediately.

If I had to set an over/under this weekend, I think two is a fair number. I'd be shocked if one of these players doesn't make a move before Sunday evening, but I also think that three may be a stretch, especially if Nester decides to hold off. If Jones makes the move, I could potentially see someone like DT Joseph Darkwa also making a decision, so I think two is a fair number this weekend.

Schools: Penn State, Auburn, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia

The Latest: Asaboro checked out Virginia last weekend and is supposed to go to Oregon next weekend before making a decision right before or during Signing day. Franklin and Smith visited with him Wednesday, which went well, but the Lions appear to be behind North Carolina and possibly Virginia at this time. Asaboro has never visited State College, however, so if all goes well this weekend, it could put Penn State firmly in the mix. I expect the Lions to make a big jump this weekend.

Schools: Committed to Penn State

The Latest: Beamon is the only Penn State commit that has already signed but hasn't yet enrolled that will be on campus this weekend. However, with 11 Class of 2019 prospects already taking classes, he'll be one of many players working on the uncommitted prospects this weekend.

Schools: Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA

The Latest: Darkwa didn't pick up an offer from the Lions until Jan. 9, but he had been previously speaking with recruiting assistant Justin King for months. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer has also done a good job here. Aside from the three I mentioned above, Darkwa would make the most sense for a commitment, but I get the sense that he's probably going to go back to Germany first and think it all over. I know he's also expecting multiple coaches to fly out to Dusseldorf next week, so I get the vibe that he's going to wait. With that said, I also believe that the Lions are going to become a serious player here by the end of the weekend. He's already spoken highly of the staff, so once he sees everything else, it could make the final week of his recruitment very interesting.

Schools: Penn State, Ohio State and USC

The Latest: Jones announced this week that Penn State, Florida, Indiana, Ohio State and USC are his top five schools. However, Ohio State, USC and now Penn State are the three he chose to visit. The Buckeyes are the favorite following last weekend's visit and I do get the sense that he'll probably end up in Columbus, especially if Nester flips. Due to basketball, Jones won't start the trip until Sunday, so we'll have a better idea for where the Lions stand come Monday evening.

Schools: Penn State & South Carolina

The Latest: South Carolina is the favorite coming into this weekend, but I think it should be noted that he hasn't spoken with many, if any, reporters since the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 3. That's important to keep in mind because if you read Twitter and most recruiting sites, it feels like everyone is picking him to end up a Gamecock. He very well may, but I also wouldn't be surprised if the Lions make this closer than most expect.

This weekend will have a big impact on the Class of 2019, but the first weekend in February will be pretty important for the Class of 2020, as Franklin and his staff should host over two dozen of their top targets for Junior Day.

On top of that, we know that they'll also host at least on official visitor in safety Nick Cross, while tight end Brett Seither confirmed Thursday night that he's planning to visit for an unofficial visit. Don't be surprised if a few other 2019 prospects also pop up next weekend.

Below is the list of players that are confirmed for Feb. 1-3.

2019

LB Nick Cross - FILM - Hyattsville, Md. - DeMatha - OFFICIAL VISIT

TE Brett Seither - FILM - Clearwater, Fla. Clearwater Catholic

2020

OL Grant Toutant - FILM - Warren, Mich. - De La Salle - COMMITTED

DE Bryan Bresee - FILM - Damascus, Md. - Damascus

OL Michael Carmody - FILM - Mars, Pa. - Mars

RB Michael Drennen II - FILM - Dublin, Ohio - Coffman

DE Coziah Izzard - FILM - Hyattsville, Md. - DeMatha

LB Curtis Jacobs - FILM - Owings Mills, Md. - McDonogh

DE Aaron Lewis - FILM - Williamstown, N.J. - Williamstown

CB Josh Moten - FILM - Fort Washington, Md. - Nat. Christian Academy

OL Aaryn Parks - FILM - Fort Washington, Md. - National Christian Academy