Wise discusses Penn State commitment

Brent Wise had it down to two in-state schools both of which had something distinct to offer. When it came down to it though, the wide receiver from Central Dauphin High in Harrisburg, Pa. couldn’t resist his beloved Nittany Lions.

Wise informed the Penn State coaching staff Saturday night that he would become the Lions’ seventh verbal commitment for the class of 2007, picking Penn State over Pennsylvania.

Wise also had offers from Connecticut and Hofstra.

“(Penn State is) a great place. There’s not too many better programs in the country,” Wise said. “Academically it is a great school. It’s been a dream for me to play for them ever since I was a little kid. I was given the opportunity to be able to and I wanted to jump on it.”

Wise has been familiar with Happy Valley his entire life and not just because he grew up less than 100 miles from State College. His father, Tom Wise, lettered on the Penn State football team from 1978-80.

“I don’t think the fact he played for Penn State was a big factor (in the college decision),” Wise said. “It was just the fact that he did contributed to me growing up such a big Penn State fan. Just being around it my whole life, I mean I’m a huge Penn State fan and I wanted them to win even before I was going to play for them.”

A bright student with plans for a pre-med major, Wise was interested in the Ivy League’s Penn for obvious reasons. But he said in taking a look at Penn State, University Park had a lot to offer as well.

“Football was the major advantage over Penn. (PSU) is a world-class program and it’s at the highest level of college football you can play,” Wise said. “Basically the determining factor was that talking to some of the people at Penn State, some of the advisers, I thought I’d be able to have the same academic opportunities to be able to do what I want to do at Penn State just as I could at Penn. Football had a greater advantage at Penn State than the academics had over Penn State at Penn.”

He informed Penn State of his decision during his official visit this weekend. On his visit he stayed with redshirt freshman linebacker Dethrell Garcia, a Harrisburg native who played at Bishop McDevitt.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Wise was a first team all-state wide receiver in 2002. He said he was recruited exclusively as a wide receiver by Penn State and he knows exactly what he can bring to the table.

“I play with a lot of heart, and especially Penn State pride. It’s in my blood. I bleed blue and white,” Wise said. “I’m going to lay it all on the table every time I’m on the field. I’ll give them everything I have. I think I can be a great possession receiver and I think I can make the big plays. I think I can really help them.”

With that in mind, Wise said he begins preparing today for the start of his collegiate career.

“Right now I just want to keep getting stronger. I’m going to work on route-running and working against more physical cornerbacks and defensive backs and just getting open... getting more polished in my route-running. I think I’ll be alright. I’m going to start working hard today,” Wise said.

“I lift five days a week with a trainer. It’ll stay in my mind ‘You’ve got to get ready, you’ve got to get ready for this next level.’ I’m so excited to get out there. I just want to make sure when I get up there I am ready to play and hopefully I can have an impact early.”

In the 2002 season, Wise had 45 receptions for 1, 215 yards. He also had 545 yards rushing on 60 carries and 28 touchdowns. He is ranked 17th in the G&W Recruiting Report’s Pennsylvania Top 50.

He is Penn State’s fourth verbal commitment from Pennsylvania, joining offensive lineman Joel Holler, linebacker Paul Posluszny, running back Austin Scott and defensive tackle John Shaw. All five Pennsylvania commitments were first-team all-state selections in 2002. New Jersey offensive lineman Dan Mazan and Virginia wide receiver Terrell Golden round out PSU’s commitments so far.