Penn State gets a defender with game-wrecking potential in Liam Andrews: Commitment impact
Penn State added another top 100 prospect to its already star-studded Class of 2024 on Friday when Brookline, Mass., four-star lineman Liam Andrews picked the Lions. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect stars as a two-way lineman for The Dexter School. In State College, however, he will focus solely on the defensive side of the ball.
Head coach James Franklin and his staff reeled in the No. 85 player overall according to the On3 Industry Rankings by beating out more than 30 programs. However, the other two finalists were South Carolina and Wisconsin.
“These three schools made my final list due to the people at these programs and the relationships they’ve developed with me,” Andrews told On3. “All 3 programs have phenomenal head coaches, defensive line coaches, strength coaches, and other people. I have created strong relationships with all of these people which has really set them apart from the rest.”
Andrews went on to tell On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that the school he would reveal as his choice was one he felt at home at. Penn State made the talented senior feel that way by numerous occasions rolling out the red carpet for him and his family. The defender took five visits to see the Lions, which was more than any other school. His three officials were to see PSU, the Badgers, and the Gamecocks. In the end, it did not hurt Penn State that it hosted him before his other two finalists for a 48-hour all-expenses-paid weekend. A long-standing relationship ensured it won out in the end.
What is Penn State getting in Liam Andrews?
On3 and every other recruiting service rank Andrews as an interior offensive lineman. However, he is set to start at defensive tackle once he arrives at Penn State. The Lions are getting a physical player who has combined brute force with speed to stand out at the prep level.
“While he’d be the best tackle on the 2024 recruiting roster, he’d also be a revolutionary talent at defensive tackle,” BWI film analyst Thomas Frank Carr writes. “Andrews is the type of player that could change the narrative about the team needing an elite player at the position. He’s explosive, long, strong, and has a propensity to shed blocks.
“Moreover, his 6-4 frame is perfect for playing anywhere from 290 to 310 pounds, and his active style is ideal for Penn State’s defensive philosophy.”
It was not immediately clear if Andrews would enroll early or not. But, he’s another high-level prospect who Penn State fans should be excited about. He will bring game-wrecking potential to State College.
More on the Nittany Lions Class of 2024
With 23 Class of 2024 verbal commitments at the start of Friday, Penn State holds the No. 10 spot in the On3 Industry Ranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
Here is the Lions’ current commitment timeline rundown:
July 21, 2023 — Massachusetts four-star lineman Liam Andrews.
July 8, 2023 — Philadelphia four-star defensive end Mylachi Williams.
Jun. 30, 2023 — Washington, D.C., three-star defensive lineman De’Andre Cook.
June 23, 2023 – Hicksville, N.Y., four-star Josiah Brown.
June 23, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., three-star Peter Gonzalez.
Jun. 21, 2023 — Philadelphia four-star receiver Tyseer Denmark.
June 11, 2023 — Irvington, N.J., four-star safety Vaboue Toure.
Jun. 4, 2023 — Baltimore, Md., four-star safety Dejuan Lane.
June 4, 2023 — Columbia, Md., three-star defensive lineman Xavier Gillman
Jun. 4, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star defensive tackle Deryc Plazz. He decommitted on June 15.
May 20, 2023 — Lewis Center, Ohio 3-star quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
April 28, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., 4-star running back Corey Smith.
Apr. 25, 2023 — Cornelius, N.C., 3-star tackle Eagan Boyer.
Apr. 24, 2023 — Hartland, Wisc., 3-star tackle Garrett Sexton.
April 18, 2023 — Waukesha, Wisc., 4-star offensive lineman Donovan Harbour.
April 15, 2023 — Reading, Pa., 3-star athlete Caleb Brewer.
Apr. 10, 2023 — Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter.
April 7, 2023 – Pittsburgh, Pa., 4-star running back Quinton Martin.
April 1, 2023 – Jacksonville, Fla., 3-star cornerback Jon Mitchell.
March 25, 2023 – Westford, Mass., 3-star tight end Luke Reynolds
March 3, 2023 – Philadelphia, Pa., 3-star cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr.
Feb. 28, 2023 — Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 3-star linebacker Kari Jackson
Jan. 17, 2023 — Pittsburgh, Pa., 4-star linebacker Anthony Speca
Jan. 29, 2022 — Erie, Pa., 4-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins
Here’s how the Penn State class breaks down by state:
Pennsylvania – 8
Wisconsin – 3
Florida – 2
Maryland – 2
Massachusetts – 2
Michigan – 1
North Carolina – 1
Ohio – 1
New Jersey – 1
New York – 1
Washington, D.C. – 1
Here’s how it breaks down by position:
Offensive lineman – 3
Cornerback – 3
Defensive tackle – 3
Receiver – 3
Running back – 2
Linebacker – 2
Safety – 2
Defensive end – 2
Quarterback – 1
Tight end – 1
Athlete – 1
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