Top prospects expected for Michigan/Penn State game

With Penn State's much anticipated game with Michigan just a day away, the list of potential recruits that are likely to be in attendance for what is likely to be one of the Nittany Lions' two biggest in-season recruiting draws of the year has firmed up.

Without further ado, here's a list of some of the uncommitted players that will probably be there, courtesy of reports on BlueWhite Illustrated (http://bwi.rivals.com, subscription required for some areas of site) and FightOnState (http://pennstate.scout.com, subscription required for some areas of site) through the week.

-- Virginia quarterback Kevin Newsome

-- Delaware receiver Justin Brown

-- Maryland wideout/defense back Travis Hawkins

-- Maryland defensive end Jason Ankrah

-- New Jersey safety Gerald Hodges

-- Milton Hershey tight end Garry Gilliam

-- New Jersey defensive tackle Isaac Holmes

-- Virginia athlete Antone Exum (possible attendee; yet to be confirmed)

-- Sto-Rox quarterback Paul Jones (2010)

-- Sto-Rox receiver Andrew Carswell (2010)

-- Canon-McMillan linebacker Mike Hull (2010)

-- St. Joe's Prep lineman Seth Betancourt (2010)

-- Central York tight end Kyle Baublitz (2010)

-- State College receiver Alex Kenney (2010)

-- Ohio linebacker Jamel Turner (2010)

-- Manheim Central defensive end/linebacker Dakota Royer (2010)

Because the Lions haven't gotten a quarterback in two years, Newsome is probably the highest-profile prospect of the seniors that will be at the game (Jones would rank right with him if you looked at underclassmen, too). Newsome, who originally committed to Michigan but then changed his mind, is from Chesapeake, Va., but is spending this year at Fork Union Military Academy.

Newsome is considered one of the top-10 quarterback prospects in the 2009 class. In terms of size and speed, he is almost a clone of Michael Robinson and Daryll Clark, although he probably faster than either and more highly rated as a prospect. At the Terrelle Pryor press conference, Scout.com recruiting analyst Bob Lichtenfels said while no one else was Pryor, Newsome was the type of quarterback that could have a similar impact on games. He still has some questions concerning his passing consistency, though.

The Penn State coaches also got word this week that West Virginia decommit Tajh Boyd has interest in the Lions. Boyd is even more highly rated than Newsome, but Newsome may have a little more upside ... it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff approaches recruiting Newsome and Boyd with Jones waiting in the wings in next year's class.

Of course, the Lions are still in the market for receivers for Newsome, Boyd or Jones to throw to, and Brown is a good one. He basically has the total package of size and speed.

Hodges, Hawkins and Ankrah would also rank among the recruits drawing the most attention. Ankrah is considered the most likely to commit over the weekend; interviews with him have had glowing praise for Penn State. He actually tried to commit a few weeks ago and was told to hold off, but now it seems like the love affair is mutual. Hawkins is his teammate at Quince Orchard High School and is even more highly rated.

Hodges committed to Rutgers in June, but there have been rumblings for a few weeks that he was looking around at other colleges. Hodges is a physical specimen, combining a cornerback's speed (4.45) with a linebacker's size (6-3, 215). He's told the Web sites he will make a final choice between Penn State and Rutgers within the next couple of weeks.