Signed: Brenon Thrift

WHAT HE DID Formerly a linebacker from Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway, Brenon Thrift signed with Temple out of high school. He opted to use a redshirt his first season in Philadelphia before attending junior college at Lackawanna C.C. last year. He had also grown into a defensive lineman and in 2015 he finished with 14 tackles and three sacks. With his connections to Gateway and Temple, Thrift has a relationship with PSU assistant coach Terry Smith, who previously coached at both schools. Thrift will have three years to complete three seasons of eligibility with Penn State and is expected to play defensive tackle.

WHAT HE WON Thrift originally earned a two-star rating from Rivals.com. In high school, he was second team all-state and voted to the Fab 22 from the (Pittsburgh) Post-Gazette. A four-year letter winner at Gateway, he collected 354 career tackles en route to first team all-conference honors each season.

WHERE HE VISITED As a high school recruit, Thrift visited Pitt and West Virginia, in addition to Temple. During his second recruitment with LCC, Thrift took an official visit to Idaho.

PHIL's TAKE: With the addition of Thrift, Penn State could have as many as nine DTs on its 2016 roster. The Lackawanna coaches say Thrift has grown to 272 pounds and could be 280 to 285 by the time he arrives at Penn State for the first 2016 spring semester in May. Thrift igned with Temple in the Class of 2014 as a 6-3, 220 linebacker. Reported 4.8 40-yard speed and projected to be a 3-technique DT at Penn State. Will have three years of eligibility.