Most championship football teams play good defense, especially down the stretch.
Penn State is trying to do just that as signing day nears.
With the Nittany Lions' recruiting class essentially complete, the task at hand now has turned to making sure they hold on to the players who've already committed and getting them to sign on Wednesday.
While verbal commitments are not binding and there's no NCAA rule prohibiting colleges from continuing to recruit players that have already pledged to another school up until they sign letters-of-intent, Penn State has generally had a very good track record when it comes to keeping players from which they've gotten commitments.
However, at least two Lion commits this year have Penn State fans at least a little edgy coming as signing day nears: Michigan defensive lineman Anthony Zettel and Arizona offensive lineman Ryan Nowicki.
Both were considered surprises when they committed to the Nittany Lions in December.
Fact Box
PENN STATE
PlayerHt.Wt.PositionHometown
Anthony Alosi6-6282OTMarlton, N.J.
Chose PSU over: UConn, UMass, Richmond, Tulane.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Dick Anderson
FYI: Put on 20 pounds while prepping for a year at The Hun School in Princeton; neighbor is former first-round NFL draft pick Mike Schad.
Deion Barnes6-5222DEPhiladelphia, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Georgia, Michigan, Pitt, South Carolina.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Larry Johnson
FYI: Philadelphia Daily News Public League co-player of year and Philadelphia Inquirer first-team all-southeastern Pa. pick was athletic enough to play WR in Chesapeake Bowl.
Bill Belton5-10185WRAtco, N.J.
Chose PSU over: West Virginia, Cincinnati, Pitt.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Mike McQueary
FYI: Cherry Hill Courier-Post player of year was QB in high school, becoming first New Jersey player to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in consecutive seasons.
Kyle Carter6-4233TENew Castle, Del.
Chose PSU over: Bucknell, Delaware, Rutgers (did not offer before he committed).
Assistant coach who opened the door: Ron Vanderlinden
FYI: First player to commit to Lions back in May; third-team all-Delaware player is the cousin of one-time Pitt linebacker commit Quinton Alston.
Sam Ficken6-3180PKValparaiso, Ind.
Chose PSU over: Akron, Michigan, Ohio State, Colorado.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Mike McQueary
FYI: In just his second year playing football, booted two field goals of more than 50 yards and made all-state first team.
Jordan Kerner6-5230DEFairview, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Iowa, Maryland, Boston College, Rutgers, West Virginia, Minnesota.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Mike McQueary
FYI: District 10 Region 4 co-player of the year, four-year starter and first-team all-state pick played linebacker, running back and tight end in high school.
Ben Kline6-3225LBDallastown, Pa.
Chose PSU over: Pitt, Michigan, Rutgers, UConn, West Virginia.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Larry Johnson
FYI: One-time Pitt commit bench presses 365 pounds, squats 550, runs 100-meter dash for his high school's track team and made 157 tackles as a senior.
Angelo Mangiro6-2290GSuccasunna, N.J.
Chose PSU over: Rutgers, Ohio State.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Dick Anderson
FYI: Four-year starter, two-time first-team all-state pick who led team to state championship as a junior and was selected to play in Under Armour All-American Game.
Ryan Nowicki6-5272OTGlendale, Ariz.
Chose PSU over: USC, Washington, Oregon State.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Mike McQueary
FYI: Illinois transplant was first-team all-state twice, led team to state title as a junior and a 10-2 record in senior year despite playing half the season with broken wrist.
Shawn Oakman6-9250DELansdowne, Pa.
Chose PSU over: UConn, NC State, South Carolina, Rice.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Ron Vanderlinden
FYI: Key member of Penn Woods' PIAA Class AAAA basketball finalist teams the last two years.
Allen Robinson6-3195WRWest Bloomfield, Mich.
Chose PSU over: Toledo, Buffalo, Minnesota, Central Michigan.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Ron Vanderlinden
FYI: One of Penn State freshman Rob Bolden's favorite targets at St. Mary's Prep was also considered a recruitable basketball talent.
Donovan Smith6-6300OTOwings Mills, Md.
Chose PSU over: UCLA, NC State, Michigan State.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Larry Johnson
FYI: U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant moved from Long Island entering sophomore year and helped school end 53-game losing streak.
Matt Zanellato6-4190WRBurke, Va.
Chose PSU over: Delaware, Miami (Ohio).
Assistant coach who opened the door: Larry Johnson
FYI: Caught more than 90 passes his senior year and had three receptions for 146 yards in the Chesapeake Bowl.
Anthony Zettel6-4257DEWest Branch, Mich.
Chose PSU over: Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa.
Assistant coach who opened the door: Ron Vanderlinden
FYI: 65th-best prospect in the country according to Scout.com had 113 tackles and seven sacks as a senior; could eventually play defensive tackle and highly rated as guard, too.
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PITT
PlayerHt.Wt.PositionHometown
Jeremiah Bryson5-8173RBSmyrna, Tenn.
Chose Pitt over: Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina.
FYI: Rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a senior while also hauling in 20 passes; offensive MVP of Tennessee 5A state championship game in 2007.
Sam Collura6-3250TEHyattsville, Md.
Chose Pitt over: Ohio, Buffalo, Akron.
FYI: Played for former Central Cambria athlete Shane McGregor's uncle at DeMatha.
Zenel Demhasaj6-7320OTBrooklyn, N.Y.
Chose Pitt over: Akron, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Memphis, Wyoming, South Florida.
FYI: Todd Graham's first Panther recruit played junior college ball at Nassau Community College in New York; recovering from ACL injury.
Artie Rowell6-2296CHarrisburg, Pa.
Chose Pitt over: Northwestern, Temple.
FYI: Key blocker for Central Dauphin team that scored 35 points or better nine times this season and averaging almost 350 yards per game.
Corey Davis5-11180RBGladewater, Texas
Chose Pitt over: Tulsa, Washington St., Wyoming.
FYI: Averaged 8.4 yards per carry and had four 200-yard rushing games on way to earning all-state honors.
Malcolm Crockett5-10185RBWashington, D.C.
Chose Pitt over: Cincinnati, Michigan.
FYI: Originally committed to Cincinnati and played in Chesapeake Bowl, he runs a reported 10.9-second 100 meters.
Isaac Bennett5-11190RBTulsa, Okla.
Chose Pitt over: Tulsa, Louisiana-Monroe.
FYI: Reigning state Class 5A title holder and 100 meter bronze medalist rushed for more than 1,300 yards and helped team to state football title this fall.
Darius Patton5-9170WRPoland, Ohio
Chose Pitt over: Michigan, Cincinnati, Wisconsin.
FYI: Originally from Pittsburgh (Penn Hills) until transferring before junior year; caught 90 career passes for 1,623 yards and 21 TDs.
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NOTRE DAME
PlayerHt.Wt.PositionHometown
George Atkinson6-3198RBLivermore, Calif.
Chose Notre Dame over: Washington, Oregon.
FYI: Son of former Oakland Raider defensive back of the same name and San Francisco Chronicle's top prep athlete in Contra Costa/Tri Valley area.
Josh Atkinson6-0180CBLivermore, Calif.Chose Notre Dame over: .
Chose Notre Dame over: Washington, Oregon.
FYI: Twin brother of fellow Irish recruit George Atkinson.
Kyle Brindza6-2195PKCanton, Mich.
Chose Notre Dame over: Michigan, Vanderbilt.
FYI: Scout.com's top kicking prospect in the country had 19 field goals as senior, including 52 and 49-yarders in regional final.
Jalen Brown6-1186CBIrving, Texas
Chose Notre Dame over: Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Texas Tech.
FYI: One of top 65 prospects in Texas, he committed to Irish without ever seeing South Bend.
Brad Carrico6-6270OTDublin, Ohio
Chose Notre Dame over: Cincinnati, Purdue, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia.
FYI: Hails from same high school (Coffman) as former Irish QB Brady Quinn.
Ben Councell6-5225LBAsheville, N.C.
Chose Notre Dame over: Georgia Tech, North Carolina, South Carolina.
FYI: Finished second on team that made it to state quarterfinals with 117 tackles.
DaVaris Daniels6-2175WRVernon Hills, Ill.
Chose Notre Dame over: Oklahoma, Miami.
FYI: Under Armour All-American is son of Washington Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels.
Matthias Farley6-1185CBCharlotte, N.C.
Chose Notre Dame over: Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, UCLA, North Carolina, NC State, Duke.
FYI: Has only played football for two years; played soccer until he was a sophomoreHa.
Everett Golson5-11170QBMyrtle Beach, S.C.
Chose Notre Dame over: North Carolina, South Carolina, Clemson.
FYI: Finalist for state player of year threw for almost 3,000 yards as a freshman; may play basketball, too.
Jarrett Grace6-4230LBCincinnati, Ohio
Chose Notre Dame over: Cincinnati, Boston College, Stanford, Northwestern, Kentucky.
FYI: Led team that finished 11-1 in tackles despite missing time with injured shoulder.
Conor Hanratty6-4290OTNew Canaan, Conn.
Chose Notre Dame over: Boston College, Florida State, Stanford, Iowa.
FYI: Son of former Irish and Pittsburgh Steeler QB Terry Hanratty.
Eilar Hardy6-0170SPickerington, Ohio
Chose Notre Dame over: Michigan State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arizona.
FYI: Columbus Dispatch first-team all-star led team to regional finals with 63 tackles, four interceptions.
Matt Hegarty6-6281OTAztec, N.M.
Chose Notre Dame over: Texas, Oklahoma, USC.
FYI: Three-time first-team all-state pick and chosen by Sports Illustrated as best prep offensive lineman in country.
Chase Hounshell6-5250DEMentor, Ohio
Chose Notre Dame over: Florida, Boston College, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State.
FYI: Originally committed to Florida; brother plays for Central Florida and twin sister signed to play basketball at St. Francis of New York.
Ben Koyack6-5230TEOil City, Pa.
Chose Notre Dame over: Penn State, Ohio State, Pitt.
FYI: One of nation's top three tight ends, hauled in 62 passes for 1,031 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.
Aaron Lynch6-6255DECape Coral, Fla.
Chose Notre Dame over: Florida State, LSU, Florida, Miami, Ohio State.
FYI: ESPNU's No. 30 prospect in the country record 2.5 sacks for the East team in its U.S. Army All-American Bowl win.
Nick Martin6-5260OTIndianapolis, Ind.
Chose Notre Dame over: Kentucky, Stanford, Michigan, Boston College, Iowa, Tennessee.
FYI: Decommitted from Kentucky to follow in footsteps of older brother, Zack, who is Irish's starting left tackle.
Cam McDaniel5-10190RBCoppell, Texas
Chose Notre Dame over: Cincinnati, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech.
FYI: Second-team all-Dallas News selection rushed for 1,906 yards and 32 touchdowns in addition to catching 40 passes.
Bennett Okotcha6-0175CBCoppell, Texas
Chose Notre Dame over: Wisconsin, Baylor, Minnesota, Wake Forest.
FYI: Decommitted from Wisconsin to join high school teammate McDaniel; lockdown corner broke up 13 passes and picked off three more.
Anthony Rabasa6-3215DEMiami, Fla.
Chose Notre Dame over: Miami, Florida, Florida State.
FYI: First-team Miami Herald all-Dade County player helped Columbus High win district title by making 80 tackles and 10 sacks.
Tony Springmann6-6260DEFort Wayne, Ind.
Chose Notre Dame over: Boston College, Stanford.
FYI: Two-time all-state player keyed Bishop Dwenger High School to a 13-1 record and also plays basketball.
Stephon Tuitt6-5252DEMonroe, Ga.
Chose Notre Dame over: Georgia Tech, Auburn, Clemson, Miami.
FYI: Rivals.com's No. 1 player in Georgia; first-team all-stater who helped team that was 0-20 last two seasons to a 10-2 finish in 2010.
Ishaq Williams6-6230DEBrooklyn, N.Y.
Chose Notre Dame over: Penn State, Syracuse.
FYI: Jason Taylor-like player led Abraham Lincoln High to first city title game in 17 years and plays in U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
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WEST VIRGINIA
PlayerHt.Wt.PositionHometown
Brian Athey6-4215QBEden Prairie, Minn.
Chose West Virginia over: No other offers, but Indiana and Wisconsin were involved.
FYI: Grandfather, Dwight Wallace, is Mountaineers radio color commentator and three relatives have coached at WVU; dad swam at Ball State.
Jared Barber6-0220LBMocksville, N.C.
Chose West Virginia over: NC State, Wake Forest.
FYI: Brought up as a freshman and had more than 100 tackles all four years he played varsity.
Ben Bradley6-2275DTNorcross, Ga.
Chose West Virginia over: NC State, South Carolina, UCF.
FYI: Region 7 Class AAAAA first-team all-star.
Isaiah Bruce6-2205LBRiverview, Fla.
Chose West Virginia over: Purdue, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Marshall.
FYI: Jacksonville Times-Union Super 24 selection spearheaded Providence Christian to first-ever playoff appearance.
Andrew Buie5-11192RBJacksonville, Fla.
Chose West Virginia over: Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Louisville, North Carolina.
FYI: Third BCS running back recruit Trinity Christian has produced in four years.
Dante Campbell6-4195WRClermont, Fla.
Chose West Virginia over: Bowling Green, Colorado State, Fla. Atlantic, Fla. International.
FYI: Orlando Sentinel's top-ranked wide receiver in central Florida.
Terrell Chestnut5-10178CBPottstown, Pa.
Chose West Virginia over: Pitt, Rutgers, Temple, Michigan, Michigan State.
FYI: Four-time all-state pick and Big 33 Classic selection had originally committed to Pitt.
Cody Clay6-4225TECharleston, W.Va.
Chose West Virginia over: Marshall, Ohio, Elon, Akron, Cornell.
FYI: Firs-team all-state pick on team that went undefeated in regular season.
Joshua Francis6-2213LBDamascus, Md.
Chose West Virginia over: Arkansas, North Carolina, Oregon.
FYI: Went to Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton.
Dustin Garrison5-8160RBPearland, Texas
Chose West Virginia over: Only Division I offer, although several BCS school were following.
FYI: Houston player of the year moved to Texas from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina disaster; rushed for almost 3,000 yards as a senior.
Russell Haughton-James6-6290OTPlantation, Fla.
Chose West Virginia over: Minnesota, South Florida, Fla. International, Fla. Atlantic, Western Kentucky.
FYI: Originally committed to Minnesota; varsity career took his to three different south Florida high schools.
Brandon Jackson6-3325GLakewood, Ohio
Chose West Virginia over: Ohio, Akron, Ball State.
FYI: One of four offensive linemen at power St. Edward's program to commit to Division I colleges.
Justin Johnson6-3288GParkersburg, W.Va.
Chose West Virginia over: Ohio, Marshall.
FYI: One brother plays for Mountaineers, another is a coach at Marshall.
Nick Kwiatkoski6-2215SBethel Park, Pa.
Chose West Virginia over: Boston College, Bowling Green.
FYI: Member of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's preseason Fabulous 22.
Paul Millard6-2210QBFlower Mound, Texas
Chose West Virginia over: Stephen F. Austin.
FYI: Threw for 82 touchdowns and more than 8,000 yards over last two seasons.
Kenneth Myers6-2180WRJacksonville, Fla.
Chose West Virginia over: South Florida, Ole Miss, Louisville,Vanderbilt.
FYI: One of a dozen First Coast High School players expected to sign Division I letters-of-intent.
Vance Roberts5-10185CBWashington, D.C.
Chose West Virginia over: Marshall, Syracuse, Rutgers.
FYI: Honorable mention Washington Post all-Met pick; Rivals.com's No. 1 prospect in District of Columbia.
Vernard Roberts5-11185RBWashington, D.C.
Chose West Virginia over: Michigan State, Kansas, Marshall.
FYI: Twin brother of fellow Mountaineer recruit Vance Roberts.
Kyle Rose6-4235DECenterville, Ohio
Chose West Virginia over: Indiana, Kansas, Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green.
FYI: Led team to wins over St. Ignatius and Moeller and picked up his 100th win as a wrestler in his junior year.
Shawntel Rowell6-4305DTGlenville, Ohio
Chose West Virginia over: Baylor, Ohio.
FYI: Played junior college ball at Iowa Wesleyan after coming out of Ted Ginn Sr.'s powerful Glenville program and originally committed to Ohio State.
Jermichael Selders5-11172RBHouston, Texas
Chose West Virginia over: Arkansas, Baylor, Vanderbilt.
FYI: Led district in rushing as sophomore and junior but missed senior year with ACL injury; has been visiting other colleges since his recruiter, Chris Beatty, left WVU.
Nowicki, a 6-foot-5, 280-pounder known for his toughness -- he played half his senior season with a broken wrist -- has created the biggest stir. While he's decided not to visit Michigan this weekend after overtures made by new Wolverines coach Brady Hoke, Southern Cal, which finished second when Nowicki originally verballed to Penn State, has vowed to continue to recruit him hard until he officially signs.
A number of other schools, including Florida State, have tried to get involved late with Nowicki, but Lions247.com publisher Sean Fitz believes USC is the only legitimate threat to his not signing with Penn State.
"Distance is a big factor. Most kids end up within a six-hour radius of their home,'' Fitz said. "Although he's originally from Illinois, he'd be away from his family, from his high school friends. Once he committed, [other schools] are going to try to take those things and use it against Penn State. [The Penn State coaches] have to calm those fears.''
The Nittany Lions seem to have done a good job of that so far. Bill Kenney made a lengthy visit with Nowicki on Thursday, and Lion recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary phoned Nowicki as well. Nowicki and his father have told several reporters he still is committed to Penn State.
Today begins a recruiting dead period, which means coaches no longer will be able to make in-home visits to try to sway prospects. However, USC can still contact Nowicki via e-mail or through his high school coach.
Although the Trojans are under sanctions which limit the amount of players they can sign, they have been getting around that this year because they are appealing the NCAA probation.
Zettel, meanwhile, seems to be firmly in Penn State's class, although some Michigan faithful are still holding out hope of a last-minute switch of the top-100 prospect.
"He's set on Penn State,'' Fitz said. "One of the reasons he committed so early was to not get caught up in a coaching change. He seemed to think that was likely to happen at Michigan.
"He told his coach he was not going to look around.''
Penn State, though, might be the beneficiary of recruits that had committed elsewhere looking around. While Maryland All-American cornerback Blake Countess reaffirmed his commitment to Michigan last week following a visit to Penn State, Maryland safety Adrian Amos, who had committed to UConn before Randy Edsall left to take the University of Maryland job, has decided to decommit from the Huskies and is visiting Penn State this weekend. Larry Johnson visited Amos last week.
West Virginia is also in the mix to get Amos' letter-of-intent.
Penn State, which only had around 15 scholarships available this year and appears to have filled them all, might have landed another player for its secondary without giving a scholarship. North Carolina all-state pick Tim Buckley was considered close to spurning scholarship offers from Central Michigan and Western Carolina to play for the Nittany Lions as a preferred walk-on safety.
In terms of speed and athletic ability, Fitz said Buckley compared favorably to former Lion Anthony Scirrotto and is much bigger.
The Lions also got a walk-on commitment from Encinitas, Calif. quarterback John Cabot. Cabot had a scholarship offer from Idaho.
"You can't depend on walk-ons, because a Division I or I-AA school could come along and offer them a scholarship, but Buckley and Cabot had offers from schools on those levels,'' Fitz said. "Usually, when you take a walk-on quarterback, they're 6 feet tall. Cabot is 6-4, 200 pounds.
"They're bringing in guys who can make a difference.''
