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Penn State adds DT as National signing day nears

By Audrey Snyder/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Defensive tackle was once a position of strength in Penn State’s 2016 recruiting class, but as the official end to the recruiting cycle nears on Feb. 3 the Lions found themselves scrambling for future depth along the defensive line. 

Penn State picked up a verbal pledge from Rivals three-star defensive tackle Antonio Shelton on Sunday, helping fill a need in a class where Rivals three-star Ellison Jordan is the team’s only other tackle pledge. Shelton, once an Illinois verbal pledge who decided to open up his recruitment last week, visited Penn State this weekend for an official visit.

Penn State lost defensive tackle pledge Michael Dwumfour last week when he flipped to Michigan and previous Nittany Lion verbal pledge Karamo Dioubate, a four-star defensive tackle prospect, decommitted earlier in January. Defensive tackle Christian Colon reopened his recruitment in October after giving the Lions a verbal pledge in June. 

Building depth along the defensive line will be a top priority immediately and this season the Lions will be tasked with replacing three of their starting front four, two of whom were defensive tackles. This spring expect Penn State’s three scholarship defensive tackles, Parker Cothren, Antoine White and Robert Windsor try and acclimate to larger roles. Penn State could work through some position changes this offseason too to try and help address the team’s need at defensive tackle. 

Kevin Givens, who signed with the Lions last February, could be an option to move inside from defensive end and Penn State could flip guard Brian Gaia back to defensive tackle if the staff thinks he can make more of an impact there. Gaia flipped to the offensive line two seasons ago and has been a work in progress while the Lions wait for some of their younger offensive linemen to develop. 

As for the push to national signing day, cornerback Damar Hamlin is set to announce Monday evening and cornerback Lavert Hill, who also has Penn State among his list of finalists, will announce Wednesday. Defensive back K.J. Sails, who picked up a Penn State offer last week also has yet to decide on a school. 

Linebacker Brendan Ferns, a Rivals 4-star prospect who has Penn State among his finalists, will announce his college decision on Wednesday at 7 a.m.

Here are Shelton’s highlights from his senior season: 

Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4