Manny Bowen commits to Penn State: 3-star OLB choose Nittany Lions
Since the Penn State Nittany Lions lost 4-star linebacker Josh Barajas, a former commitment, to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Nittany Lions have been looking for a replacement in the class of 2015.
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On Saturday, they found that replacement when 3-star outside linebacker/safety/wide receiver Manny Bowen gave his pledge to the Nittany Lions. The Nittany have made a big run at Bowen since Barajas decommitted and got him on campus for a visit Saturday. Seeing Happy Valley and meeting with Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff was obviously enough for Bowen.
The 6’2, 206-pounder is from Barnegat, New Jersey and attends Barnegat High School. He could play multiple positions but ultimately projects as an outside linebacker. He is ranked as the country’s 23rd-best outside linebacker, the sixth-best overall prospect in the state of New Jersey and the 332nd-best overall prospect in the class of 2015, according to 24/7 Sports’ composite rankings.
Bowen doesn’t have a lofty ranking, but he has an extremely impressive list of offers, including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers, Florida Gators, Louisville Cardinals, Miami Hurricanes, Nebraska Cornhuskers, North Carolina Tar Heels, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Oklahoma Sooners, Oregon Ducks, Tennessee Volunteers and Wisconsin Badgers.
Although Bowen is fairly local and was a big need at the position, due to his offer sheet, he is yet another extremely impressive get for Franklin and his staff.
Penn State now has 17 verbal commitments in the class of 2015. Their class ranks first in the Big 10 and fourth in the entire country.