Penn State's Biggest Recruiting Weekend of the Year Primer

This weekend is the most important weekend of the year for Penn State football in terms of recruiting. There are less than two weeks remaining until National Signing Day on February 3rd, and Penn State is hosting about 15 recruits this weekend. Here is everything you need to know about the ever-so important weekend for the Nittany Lions.

Top Target Cancels Visit Due to Weather

Perhaps Penn State's top uncommitted target, 4-star linebacker Brendan Ferns from Ohio, has canceled his visit to Penn State this weekend due to the impending snow storm. His two finalists are West Virginia and Penn State, and he will visit WVU next weekend. It is unknown if he will schedule another visit to Penn State. This is a massive blow to Penn State as Ferns was believed to be leaning towards Penn State and perhaps they could have sealed the deal with a great visit this weekend. It is unlikely Ferns gets to visit Penn State as next weekend is the last before National Signing Day and he is already planning on visiting West Virginia, where his brother plays. Perhaps James Franklin and his staff can schedule a visit during the week or visit him at his home. Either way, it looks to be an uphill climb for the Nittany Lions to land Ferns now.

Seems to be Over for Penn State with its Top Ranked Kicker Commit

Quinn Nordin, the top-ranked kicker in the country and Penn State commit, canceled his visit to Penn State this weekend and will instead visit Baylor. He will then visit USC next weekend. He visited Michigan last week and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh even slept over his house. They seem to be the favorite to land the 3-star recruit from Michigan. Although he is still committed to Penn State, fans should take that with a grain of salt and should fully expect him to flip, likely to rival Michigan. Penn State offered Alex Barbir, the 8th ranked kicker in the country and Rutgers commit, but they are unlikely to land him as he is visiting Rutgers this weekend and Louisville next. Blake Gillikin, the 2nd best punter in the country and Penn State commit, may handle the kicking and punting duties for Penn State next year if/when Nordin flips.

Penn State to Try to Keep Two Commits Who are Looking Elsewhere

Two of Penn State's commits, 4-star safety Andrew Pryts and 3-star defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour, will visit Penn State as well this weekend. This is huge because both are reportedly wavering on their commitments. Pryts took an official to Stanford last week and if he doesn't re-affirm his commitment this weekend, it looks like the Cardinal are in prime position to flip the Pennsylvania native. Dwumfour took an official visit to Michigan last weekend and he was reportedly going to flip, but his family asked him to weigh his options. So it seems like Dwumfour is leaning towards Michigan. He is also best friends with Rashan Gary, the top-ranked player in the country who is favored to go to Michigan, so the Wolverines look like the favorite to land Dwumfour who is a New Jersey native. Penn State will look to convince both recruits to stay committed to Penn State.

Top Targets are in Town

Three recruits who are not committed to Penn State will be in town as well. The top target is Damar Hamlin, the 4-star cornerback from Pennsylvania whose finalists are Penn State, Pitt, and Ohio State. The Pittsburgh-native visited Ohio State last weekend and will visit Pitt next weekend. Hamlin has to be the top target now that Ferns isn't coming since fellow 4-star cornerback Lavert Hill does not look like a candidate to commit to Penn State again. Hamlin may be slightly leaning towards Penn State, but Penn State will look to take a larger lead over the weekend. 4-star JUCO safety and West Virginia commit Kyzir White will be at Happy Valley as well. Penn State likely brought him in as a backup-plan if Pryts does decide to flip. Also in town is 3-star safety Khaleke Hudson. The Pennsylvania native seems to be down to Penn State, Michigan, and Pitt. He visited Michigan last weekend and will vist Pitt next weekend. He is a candidate to commit if all goes well during his visit. In fact, Penn State's 5-star running back commit Miles Sanders tweeted a photo of him, Hudson, Hamlin, and 3-star athlete and Penn State commit Aaron Matthews traveling to Penn State in a van with Head Coach James Franklin, Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorhead, Offensive Line Coach Matt Limegrover, co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Tim Banks, and assistant head coach/defensive recruiting coordinator/cornerbacks coach Terry Smith. Sure looks like Penn State is going all in this weekend on their top targets. One can only assume that Penn State commits will be pressuring some of these uncommitted targets as well.