Newsstand: Manny Diaz earns praise, recruits react to Thursday visits
Happy Friday, Penn State fans. The Final Four will have just about everyone’s attention tomorrow night, but there’s plenty to discuss in the world of Penn State athletics heading into the weekend.
The baseball team will host Indiana at Medlar Field this weekend, while the women’s gymnastics team has advanced to the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament for the first time in four years. Sunday will also be a fun day for lacrosse, with the men hosting Ohio State at 12 pm ET. That’ll be followed by the women’s team, who’s set to play Cornell at 3 pm ET. The men’s match against the Buckeyes will air on ESPNU.
Penn State Tweets of the Day
Penn State assistant coach Manny Diaz was recognized by Pro Football Focus Thursday as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football. Diaz, who joined the team in Dec. 2021, was ranked fifth in the poll. Three Big Ten coordinators ranked ahead of him in Iowa’s Phil Parker (No. 1), Michigan’s Jesse Minter (No. 2) and Ohio State’s Jim Knowles (No. 3). Minnesota’s Joe Rossi also made the cut at No. 7, giving the Big Ten five of the top 10.
“If his defenses keep performing as they did in 2022, it won’t be long before another program gives him a shot at head coach,” PFF’s Max Chadwick wrote. “Penn State’s defense improved from 22nd in EPA allowed per play in 2021 to fifth this past year. Making that even more impressive is the fact that the Nittany Lions’ coordinator in 2021, Brent Pry, left to become the head coach at Virginia Tech.”
Thursday was also a big day for Penn State on the recruiting trail. Midweek visits are often light when it comes to scholarship talent, but that wasn’t the case yesterday, with eight scholarship players attending Thursday evening’s practice.
2024 OL Garrett Sexton was one of the top players in attendance. Listed at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, Sexton played quarterback as an underclassman before transitioning to tackle as a junior. He’s added nearly 20 scholarship offers since the start of 2023 and is quickly moving up Penn State’s offensive line board.
Penn State also extended scholarships to two rising sophomores in linebacker Maurice Barnes and safety Marcello Vitti. Barnes is an in-state prospect, playing for Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg. Thursday was his second visit to Penn State. He holds seven Power Five offers already.
Vitti, who plays at Divine Child in Detroit, visited Penn State for the first time. Both Michigan and Maryland have also offered.
Headlines of the Day
Penn State’s Nick Tarburton opens up about NFL chances: Flounders, PennLive
At Mike Rhoades’ Penn State introduction, personality and alignment take center stage: Bauer, BWI
Biggest risers in 2024 football On3 NIL Valuations: Nakos, On3
Mike Rhoades dutifully fulfills PSU intro pleasantries, now will do what he does best – dive into hard work: Jones, PennLive
Penn State QB target Samaj Jones announces top four schools: Snyder, BWI
Watch Mike Rhoades’ introductory press conference: Carr, BWI
Quote of the Day
“We’re going to be very aggressive, especially on defense. We want to create opportunities all the time with our defense. We’re going to let guys loose, let them go make plays. These are great, great athletes, great basketball players, so what I don’t want to do is slow them down and put them on their heels. I want to put them on their toes and make them go fight at a high level.”
— New Penn State men’s basketball coach Mike Rhoades
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