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Penn State loses commit from top QB prospect

By John McCarty

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: James Franklin takes the field with the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on September 27, 2014 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: James Franklin takes the field with the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on September 27, 2014 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Top 2018 quarterback prospect Justin Fields decommits from Penn State as recruitment heats up

After winning the Big Ten Championship and appearing in the Rose Bowl , Penn State hoped to turn on field success into recruiting success.  This December, it appeared to have done just that, securing a verbal commitment from 2018 quarterback prospect Justin Fields of Harrison, Georgia. Despite his commitment, other schools kept chase. Recently, Fields announced via his Twitter account (@justnfields) that he is no longer a Penn State commit.

Tom VanHaaren, a Big Ten recruiting reporter with ESPN discussed the news of Penn State’s loss of the country’s top  2018 dual threat quarterback. Momentum had been picking up as offers continued to pile in for Fields, as he’d recently added numerous offers.

Currently, Fields is sitting at close to 40 scholarship offers. After recently adding offers from Florida and Florida State, Fields chose to open his recruitment and explore his options. Fields did indicate he would continue to consider Penn State.

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"“My decision to reopen my recruitment is in no way a reflection of any deficiencies of PSU, its coaches, players or fans,” Fields said. “I still believe that PSU is a great academic and athletic opportunity for any student athlete and it will remain one of the top schools that I would consider.”"

Where might Fields end up?  The most likely landing spot could be the University of Florida. Redshirt freshman Felipe Franks appears to be the likely starter this season, but there are real possibilities for playing time behind him. The Gators also play in the SEC, the premier conference in the country.

The University of Georgia has offered Fields, but with sophomore Jacob Eason and incoming freshman Jake Fromm currently on the depth chart, there is a lot of talent on the Georgia roster.

For Penn State, his loss could put the program into scramble mode for a 2018 quarterback. Currently, Fields is the only quarterback they have offered that isn’t committed. Either the Nittany Lions will have to ‘flip’ a commitment from another school or will have to find another prospect to bring in.

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