Courtesy of Penn State Athletics
Today, as the early National Letter of Intent signing day period kicks off, most — if not all — of the newest members of the Penn State recruiting class will sign on the dotted line, accepting a scholarship to play football for the Nittany Lions. For every player who does sign, I’ll be here to provide an in-depth scouting report. Here is my report on Malvern receiver Lonnie White Jr.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 201
School: Malvern Prep
Projected position: Receiver
Rating: Four stars by Rivals.com, 247sports and ESPN
Other Power 5 offers: Boston College, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech
Projection: White has been an intriguing athlete for some time in the Philadelphia area, so much so that he originally committed to Clemson to play baseball. He’s viewed as such a good outfield prospect, it’s likely he’ll be selected in the 2021 MLB amateur draft. But while he also hopes to play baseball for Penn State — which would make him one of the best prospects in the program’s history — he’s going to the university for football reasons. At 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, he has prototypical size for a receiver, but uncanny speed to go with it. He’s a physical runner in the open field and a load to bring down. Despite his limited experience at receiver, he has good ball skills and solid hands and a frame that is difficult for corners to get around. He’ll need some work, but he’s the best all-around athlete in this class. Typically, that means plenty of early playing time.
Donnie Collins has been a member of The Times-Tribune sports staff for nearly 20 years and has been the Penn State football beat writer for Times-Shamrock Newspapers since 2004. The Penn State Football Blog covers Nittany Lions, Big Ten and big-time college football news from Beaver Stadium to the practice field, the bowl game to National Letter of Intent Signing Day. Contact: dcollins@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5368; @DonnieCollinsTT