Penn State has not yet been able to host visitors on campus due to the NCAA’s prolonged death toll that runs through April 15, but one of the main defensive targets for Lions of Nittany is in town on Friday. Jesuit class of Indianapolis (Ind.) Brebeuf 2022 defensive end Joe Strickland announced its arrival on Twitter.
Lions of Nittany are among Strickland’s top picks, along with Indiana, Michigan, Stanford and others. Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. and graduate assistant Deion Barnes have been in regular contact since the offer last year and Strickland previously trained with the current freshman defensive striker from Penn State Cole Brevard.
“I was on a zoom with them and probably 13 coaches,” Strickland told 247Sports of the Nittany Lions. “They were very impressed with my maturity in relation to the varsity team and how I was leading this summer. I was just setting examples, they were making jokes that I’m probably more than some of their veterans. “
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Strickland is a four-star prospect in the 247Sports and 247Sports Composite ratings. He is number 202 in general perspective of the country and the 11th strong defensive side nationally, according to the Composite ranking. He is the fifth potential customer in Indiana in the next cycle.
As a junior last fall, Strickland recorded 50 tackles, 13 quarterbacks hurry, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.