Signed: LB Charlie Katshir
WHAT HE DID: A two-way starter at one of Central Pennsylvania’s most respected high school programs, Katshir helped lead the Eagles to a 32-10 record during his three seasons on varsity. Throughout his career, he totaled 1,610 yards receiving and 509 rushing yards, scoring 27 offensive touchdowns. Playing safety on defense, he totaled 171 tackles and 17 interceptions. Katshir scored four special teams or defensive touchdowns over that same time span. He was also the team’s punter his senior season, averaging a respectable 39 yards per attempt.
WHAT HE WON: Katshir was first-team all-state selection at defensive back his junior and senior seasons. He was also first-team all-conference his junior and senior seasons and second-team all-conference his sophomore season. A three-star prospect on Rivals.com, he's 39th overall at outside linebacker and is the 20th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania for 2018.
WHERE HE VISITED: Katshir earned his first offer from Virginia in May 2016. Following an excellent workout at Penn State’s Whiteout camp two months later, James Franklin and Brent Pry offered immediately. Including camp, he he took four unofficial visits to University Park before committing to the Nittany Lions on February 2, 2017. Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia and West Virginia all earned visits in the months leading up to his decision. Notre Dame was the only one of those schools that didn’t extend an offer, but the Irish likely would have had he not committed.
QUOTABLE: Katshir - “It really is a dream come true to play for Penn State. I can’t wait to represent the school and the team. I’ll always give you guys everything I got.”
PHIL’S TAKE: Katshir is one of the best pure athletes in Penn State’s Class of 2018. On defense, he primarily played free safety, but also dropped down to linebacker and even defensive end at times. Katshir was also a big contributor on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs, in addition to being the team’s punter. In college, he’ll most likely play outside linebacker at Penn State. I expect him to use a redshirt his freshman year, mainly due to the fact that he’s had two surgeries on his shoulder the past two years, the most recent of which took place at the end of November.
