Ohio standout RB commits to Lions
Penn State filled a gigantic recruiting need yesterday when running back Brandon Beachum issued a verbal pledge to Joe Paterno's program during a press conference.
He is expected to enroll in January so he can participate in spring practice.
Beachum pads PSU's verbal commitment list to five and the Nittany Lions' 2008 collection of Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) football players just doubled.
Beachum joins Mooney teammate Michael Zordich, a linebacker, as PSU verbals. Mooney is located in the Youngstown area of Ohio.
Beachum is also PSU's first true running back recruit to join the fold in two years. The Lions were shut out in 2007 and tailback is the Lions' biggest recruiting need. The team's top two backs, Austin Scott and Rod Kinlaw, are seniors.
The 6-0, 220-pound Beachum fits the Paterno prototype for tailbacks. His power game is suited to the physical rigors of the Big Ten.
Beachum is one of the top recruits in Ohio and the only knock against him, a minor one, is that he lacks breakaway speed. He runs in the 4.6 range for 40 yards. Beachum, who ran for 1,500 yards last fall, can also play linebacker at the Division I level.
Beachum was also rumored to be considering Wisconsin, Nebraska and LSU.
PSU is also targeting several other tailback recruits for the 2008 class, including Ohio's Michael Shaw, a smaller (6-0, 190), speedier (4.4) back.
Joining the Mooney duo in PSU's verbal class for 2008 are Louisiana linebacker Michael Mauti, linebacker Mike Yancich of western Pennsylvania's Trinity High School and Blue Mountain High School offensive lineman Matt Stankiewitch.
The Lions also remain in the chase for Jeannette standout quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is viewed by some recruiting services as the top recruit in the country.
The 6-6, 210-pound Terrelle Pryor is said to be serious about a half-dozen schools, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Florida and Michigan.
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