WHAT HE DID: Mustipher played both ways for a McDonogh team that finished its regular season at 6-4, but the Eagles lost to St. Frances Academy, 49-7, in the MIAA A Conference semifinal, ending their season. Mustipher is also an excellent wrestler, having gone 39-8 with 15 pins in the heavyweight bracket as a junior. He took first place at the MIAA and Maryland Independent School tournaments and was fourth at the National Preps tournament.
WHAT HE WON: Mustipher has been named an Under Armour All-American. He was an all-state and all-conference selection, as well as a two-time prep all-American and a two-time Baltimore all-Metro selection. A four-star prospect, Mustipher is rated No. 164 in the country by Rivals.com. He’s also the fourth-ranked prospect in Maryland and the 11th-ranked defensive tackle nationally.
WHERE HE VISITED: Mustipher was recruited by some of the best programs in the country. In addition to Penn State, he was pursued by Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Virginia Tech, and he also gave serious consideration to Maryland and Tennessee. Older brother Sam Mustipher is a senior center and Rimington Award watch-lister with Notre Dame, and the Irish made a big push for P.J. In addition, his father played for West Virginia. But P.J. – it stands for Patrick Joseph – chose to blaze his own trail. He committed to the Nittany Lions in early August, following up on an offer he had received more than two years earlier. During his recruitment, he made a half-dozen visits to University Park, including three visits in the four months leading up to his commitment.
QUOTABLE: P.J. Mustipher, to The Baltimore Sun: “I want to show people that I’m ready to go up to Happy Valley and compete right away. Last year was just about showing who I was, but this year is showing that my technique, my physical ability, everything is ready to go up and compete and to play for the Nittany Lions. I want to dominate. I want to be perfect in all aspects of football.”
PHIL’S TAKE: Rated by many as the top defensive tackle in the Maryland/Washington D.C. region for the Class of 2018, Mustipher has the strength, athleticism and explosiveness to play either the one or three-technique defensive tackle position at the college level. He uses his hands exceptionally well to shed blocks and also has an explosive first step that enables him to get penetration into the backfield and provide a very effective inside pass rush. With Curtis Cothran, Tyrell Chavis and Parker Cothren all graduating, Mustipher has the ability to make the three-deep depth chart as a freshman. I project him to begin his college career at the one-technique position.
