Live Blog (3:43 PM)

(3:43 PM update): Two more letters, Brandon Ware and Mike Farrell have arrived at the Penn State football office, according to GoPSF.com.

That will do it for the recruits coming in.

We’re staying on top of the Pryor sweepstakes as best as possible, and in the interest of time, and a hectic work day, that’s going to do it for the live blog. We’ll have more updates later on tonight if they are warranted.

And we will be back tomorrow with more analysis as well as a quick glimpse of who’s up in 2009 for Penn State.

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(3:13 PM update): Cory Lewis has picked Illinois, according to a report in the Allentown Morning Call.

That means Penn State has indeed lost out on receivers Deion Walker and Kenny Tate, Lewis and running back Michael Shaw. Tate made his intentions known last week, Walker, Lewis and Shaw were either expected to commit to PSU or had them in the running late.

But it begs the question. As a fan, would you rather devote your time to getting these guys or lure Terrelle Pryor? (hit me up at ethomas@cumberlink.com if you desire to answer that)

Scout.com recruiting analyst Bob Lichtenfels, who is in Chicago for work on the Big Ten Network took some time from his hectic schedule to check in with me and give his take on Penn State’s class.

“Terrelle Pryor is the best player in the country, and the best player to come out in the last 5-8 years. That’s more important than losing one running back when you have another coming in and a wide receiver when you already have plenty,” Lichtenfels said.

Lichtenfels, who is as close to Pryor as any recruiting analyst or media member out there also said he feels the Jeanette superstar doesn’t have a favorite right now, and isn’t leaning one way or the other.

ESPNU analyst Todd McShay said on television this afternoon that Pryor, under no circumstances, should even visit Oregon, despite the quarterback’s claim that he would go out there at some point for a visit.

“The plane’s going to be a little low on fuel that day,” McShay said on the network.

As for Penn State’s class in general, Lichtenfels says they are in the middle of a crowded Big Ten pack.

 

“I still say they are mid-Big Ten,” Lichtenfels said. “Ohio State and Michigan are running away with it, and then you have Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota and then (Penn State) before Iowa and Northwestern.”

For more analysis from Lichtenfels and other recruiting experts, see tomorrow’s Sentinel.

 

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(1:22, bad news update): Ohio running back Michael Shaw has just announced he will attend Michigan, choosing the Wolverines over Penn State.

Shaw gave a verbal to PSU back in August of last year, but earlier this morning at a 10 Am news conference said he would wait until 1PM to make his announcement.

Two of Shaw’s Troutwood-Maidson teammates, Brandon Moore and Roy Roundtree both signed LOIs to play for Michigan earlier in the day.

Big loss for PSU.

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(12:47 update): Just got done listening to Pryor’s presser, I am cutting up audio from that and hope to get it up after 1PM.

Basically the jist of it, because of the long football season and basketball starting right after, Pryor feels like he hasn’t had much time to devote to each school evenly.

He more or less stated that he wanted to pick Ohio State today, his dad said to give PSU a chance and he had a TON of positive things to say about PSU, including that he feels “really comfortable with them,” and that coach Jay (Paterno) has a nice scheme developed for him.

We’ll have more in a few. We’re also awaiting word on Michael Shaw, who is expected to announce at 1 PM between Michigan and PSU.

Couple of quick notes over the last hour.

* Colleague Jeff Reinhart of the Lancaster New Era was at Manheim Twp. today and talked to kicker David Soldner, who will walk on at Penn State. Soldner picked the Lions over Temple.

*Colorado just got running back Darrell Scott. HUGE get for the Buffs, especially since Texas was the other favorite to land him without Jamal Charles in the mix.

* This from Tom Lemming via CSTV: “It’s now a tug of war between Ohio State and Penn State,” -On Pryor.

Again, questions, comments, anything, email me at ethomas@cumberlink.com

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(11:36 update): We’re 24 minutes away from Pryor’s presser at Jeanette, we’ll be stepping aside to catch the feed of that when it goes down, then be back afterward to report all the goodies and updated info.

For now, Rivals.com actually conducted a one-on-one interview with Pryor, at his home, before school this morning.

Among the highlights from the interview.

Pryor said he hates the attention and “talking to people,” whatever that means.

Also that today he would “try to do some school work, deal with the media go to practice then get out of there.” Good luck young man.

The guys I want to hear from? Colleagues Mike White and Colin Dunlap from the Post-Gazette. Why, you ask? Because Pryor has been writing a journal for them from time to time throughout this entire thing, it appears the PPG will get the story when it happens, then last night happens.

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(11:17 update): A couple of newsworthy posts, comments, from the last half hour or so.

East Stroudsburg lineman Cory Lewis is making his announcement at his high school at 3PM today, and early indication is he’s expected to pick Illinois.

It was thought that Lewis could be a late addition to the PSU class, but now it appears he is Illinois bound.

* Pitt has actually LOST a recruit, according to Kevin Gorman of the Tribune-Review.

* Here’s an interesting take on Terrelle Pryor.

* In a move that slipped under the radar this morning, receiver Deion Walker signed and sent his LOI to Notre Dame. You’ll recall late last night Walker was considering a possible switch to Penn State. Not the case now.

* BWI is reporting that both tight end Mark Wedderburn and offensive lineman Deon’tae Pannell have signed and faxed their letters to Penn State.

* Here is the latest update from Fight On State.

So here’s PSU’s day in a nutshell so far. They won’t get Walker, they likely won’t get Lewis, it’s very possible Michael Shaw isn’t coming now, yet they are the reason Pryor is delaying his commitment and should now be considered even (at worst) with UM and OSU in the Pryor sweepstakes.

And the day is still young….

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(10:42 update): According to BWI, Celina, Texas safety D’Anton Lynn has signed and faxed his LOI to Penn State.

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(10:34 Update): This from ESPN’s expert, Tom Luginbill, who said he believes Pryor will still sign with the Buckeyes.

He said Pryor should feel much more comfortable signing with OSU since he doesn’t have to in there and be the savior right away.

Well, Tom, he doesn’t have to at PSU either. Luginbill did say PSU has “crept” back into the picture with Pryor, but failed to offer anything new to the situation.

Afterall PSU is the reason why he is delaying the announcement. I’m amazed that these “national guys” either don’t read or aren’t with the program…..

Luginbill also offered this nugget, that running back Darrell Scott “could come down to Colorado and Texas.” Really? That was made known close to a month ago.

Luginbill said Florida, Clemson and Alabama have made the most impact so far and had high praise for Miami as well.

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We’ll be here all morning and afternoon until around 5Pm to bring you as much updated recruiting stuff as possible.

We’ll mix in mostly PSU stuff, Terrelle Pryor news and also some thoughts on the Big Ten itself.

And we’re hoping to get an expert or two later on.

First things first.

Blue White Illustrated is reporting the following have signed and faxed their LOIs to Penn State already this morning (7AM is the first time you can do so today): Jack Crawford, Mike Zordich, Pete Massaro, Jack Crawford, Matt Stankiewitch and A.J. Price.

You can view the BWI commitment board via this link, while Fight On State’s board is right here. They will both be updated constantly as recruits fax their letters in.

Questions, comments, whatever, direct them to ethomas@cumberlink.com. I’ll answer ASAP.

DEVELOPING…

There is a huge story coming out of Ohio, where running back Michael Shaw, who had initially given his verbal commitment to play for Penn State, has just informed fans in attendance as his presser that he has NOT made a decision between PSU and Michigan.

If the Lions were standing to lose a player today, Shaw was it. On a visit with a teammate to Michigan, Shaw was evidently being wooed by said teammate to flip his commitment.

Per Nate Bauer from BWI just minutes ago….

10:10 a.m.

Shaw announces that he hasn’t made a decision but he will make an announcement at 1 p.m. He is too conflicted and has not made a choice yet.

Unreal.

PRYOR TO FIELD QUESTIONS

In what has gone from a near certainty to officially insane, Jeanette quarterback Terrelle Pryor will still field questions at a news conference at his high school at noon.

We’re going to try and bring you some audio from this presser.

Why hold it? To announce there is no decision? It’s interesting and you have to wonder what people’s views on Pryor will be.

According to the Post-Gazette, which maintained in their story for today’s edtion that Pryor would sign and likely with Ohio State, Pryor said Penn State is “creeping up on him.”

A great sign for the Nits as I wrote for today.