Penn State is off to a hot start in the 2013 recruiting class, with arguably the top tight end in the country in Adam Breneman and the top pocket passer in Christian Hackenberg. Penn State recruiting expert Jeff Junstrom of Black Shoe Diaries has compiled a great list of all the recruits making their way to Happy Valley for Penn State's spring game Saturday.
All eight current commitments in the class of 2013 are expected. The top uncommitted recruit expected in town is probably Derwin Gray.
Gray is a 6'5", 280 pound offensive tackle recruit from Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy. He holds offers from Penn State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, etc. You get the idea. Most services rate him as a four-star recruit.
What do schools see in Gray? Potential.
Gray really is not a great high school football player. He is, however, a big frame with impressive athleticism to match. But he doesn't dominate like one might expect from a player of his size and athleticism. Gray may be new to football, and if so, that could be an explanation. He'll need instruction from a coach who can instill both technique in toughness at the next level during his red-shirt and likely developmental years of 2013 and 2014.
Gray has the potential to be a multi-year starter for a BCS team, but must be properly managed and developed. He would be an excellent addition to Penn State's class.
For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, SB Nation Pittsburgh and SB Nation Philly.