The early signing period for football prospects in the Class of 2020 is upon us, and Penn State is expected to bring in a larger-than-usual class throughout the day. On the Penn State blog today, I’ll be breaking down each of the signees. Here is my scouting report on rising defensive line prospect Zuriah Fisher.
Penn State DL prospect Zuriah Fisher. PHOTO BY PENN STATE ATHLETICS
Height: 6-3
Weight: 255
School: Aliquippa HS
Projected position: Defensive end
Rating: Four stars by 247sports; Three stars by Rivals.com and ESPN
Other offers: Boston College, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, West Virginia.
Projection: When Penn State offered Fisher, he was considered a rather middling prospect. But, everyone seemed to take notice after that. He’s now a consensus top-five prospect in Pennsylvania, ane that might be underselling him a bit. He’s a 250-plus-pound high school linebacker who plays like he’s about 210. He does things well that you’d expect from a much smaller player: He shows a feel for zone coverage, and he isn’t out of his element in man coverage. He has terrific hands – he plays tight end, too – and can pick off the pass when it comes his way. He’s strong against the run; a heavy hitter who could use some work on his technique and leverage, but isn’t afraid of contact. It’s easier to see him fitting in at defensive end with the Nittany Lions because of his size and the fact that he senses the game very well.
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