For the second time, Penn State has missed out on the top-ranked prep linebacker in the commonwealth.
Wyomissing's Alex Anzalone gave a verbal commitment to Notre Dame over the Nittany Lions on Sunday while taking part in "The Opening,'' a Nike-operated training camp and competition in Oregon for elite rising seniors. Anzalone also had Florida in his final three.
A national top-100 prospect, Anzalone originally had committed to Ohio State but changed his mind shortly after a visit to Columbus and then eliminated the Buckeyes. Notre Dame was reputed to be his favorite in recent weeks, although internet recruiting analysts thought Penn State had made up quite a bit of ground when it got the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder to come to University Park on June 28, when a couple of high profile Lion commits also were on campus.
The Fighting Irish now have 17 commitments for 2013. Notre Dame recently got an oral commitment from another linebacker with Penn State interest, Michael Deeb of Florida. Philadelphia area offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and Washington D.C. cornerback Devin Butler chose the Irish over the Lions, as well.
Penn State has three linebackers in its 2013 recruiting class and is expected to add one more. Al-Rasheed Benton of New Jersey and Jonathan Walton of Alabama appear to be the top two players on the Lions' board to fill that spot; the Lions were in the running for Maryland's Marcus Newby and Florida's Freddie Stevenson, but those players announced for Nebraska and Florida State, respectively, last week.
