Penn State’s White Out on Saturday is doing double duty. Yes, it’s a Big Ten showdown with No.
19 USC and a chance for the Nittany Lions to end a two-game losing streak. But it’s also one of the biggest recruiting stages in the country, with more than 100 prospects expected in Beaver Stadium.
That kind of crowd has long made this event a magnet for elite high school talent, and Penn State is once again using the atmosphere to sell what the program can become. The setting gives recruits and their families a front-row look at the fan base, the pageantry and the scale of the experience.
On Wednesday, Lions247 asked Penn State head coach Matt Campbell about what Saturday means from a recruiting standpoint.
"It's such an unbelievable opportunity to showcase this community and showcase the fan support," Campbell said. "The community, what this place means, and how special it is to play football here at Penn State."
Campbell also stressed that the staff has a plan for making sure the visitors get the kind of attention that turns a game-day trip into something more memorable.
"We've tried to put a great plan [together for] how do we give the recruits the right attention, how do we make sure we make this a great experience," Campbell said. "That it continues to be the showcase for how special it is to play here at Penn State."
The guest list for the White Out is a strong one. It includes a dozen top-100 overall prospects, along with several of Pennsylvania’s best players.
On the latest Lions247 Podcast, recruiting insider Tyler Calvaruso singled out five visitors to watch and broke down why each one matters.
In Other News...
Ohio State Freshmen Suddenly Have A Real Chance To Break Through
Freshman wide receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd have spent the early part of the season working their way into Ryan Days plans, and now the path may be opening a little faster than expected. Day said both young receivers have shown confidence and growth, and with Ohio State still sorting out its passing-game rotation, there is a real chance for them to see more meaningful snaps as the Buckeyes prepare for Maryland.
The timing matters because the receiving room is dealing with injuries to Devin McCuin and Brandon Inniss, creating even more room for the freshmen to be involved. Kyle Parker, the LSU transfer, is also expected to make his first appearance of the season, so Ohio State could be looking at a passing attack with a few new faces in the mix when it takes the field next. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces One Thing Fans Should Watch Against Maryland
Ohio State gets Maryland at home Oct. 10, and the matchup already comes with the kind of lopsided feel Buckeyes fans have come to expect in early Big Ten play. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. EST on the Big Ten Network, and the pregame buzz has centered on a Maryland roster dealing with several injuries while Ohio State enters looking mostly healthy, with only a few status updates still hanging over the build-up.
There is, of course, the usual reminder that projections are not the same as results, even if the numbers from Dimers.com point heavily toward Ohio State and a comfortable afternoon in the Horseshoe. The bigger watch item for Buckeyes fans may be less about whether the favorite wins and more about how cleanly it handles the game, especially with final injury updates still to come and a Maryland team trying to piece together a competitive plan despite its own health issues. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Gets A Maryland Team Showing Cracks Everywhere
Maryland comes into its matchup with Ohio State in a rough stretch, carrying a three-game losing streak and plenty of questions on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Malik Washington has had an uneven season, showing enough arm talent to keep the offense moving while also being prone to mistakes, and the pressure around head coach Mike Locksley has only grown after a pair of lopsided losses.
The Terps still have a weapon in wide receiver Chris Durr Jr., but the bigger concern is how often the offense can sustain drives against a defense like Ohio State's when Maryland has struggled to convert on third down. Add in a defense that has been giving up far too many points in Big Ten play, and this is the kind of game where the Buckeyes can find cracks early and keep pressing. [Read more 🡒]