Penn State recruiting is on a roll under new coach James Franklin, and it doesn’t look like the momentum will slow down any time soon. Prospects are quick to point out the energy and charisma of Franklin and the coaches on his staff as one of the many reasons for the team’s success.
Under Armour All-American offensive lineman Sterling Jenkins is included on that list of recruits who believe Franklin’s personality gives him an edge on the recruiting trail.
“When Coach (Bill) O’Brien was there, I liked Penn State, but I still wanted to see what was out there. When Coach Franklin came, I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to go,” said Jenkins, from Pittsburgh's Baldwin High School. “His energy made it apparent that was where I wanted to be. I feel like that helps you believe in his dream and goal to make Penn State a power again, since he’s so passionate and upbeat.”
Jenkins was presented with his Under Armour All America jersey on Wednesday and reflected on the fact that he didn’t always have the Nittany Lions atop his list. Early on in his recruitment, Jenkins admits that he was leaning toward Michigan. That changed, though, once Franklin and his staff took over.
Offensive line is a big need for Penn State, so Jenkins is a big part of what the coaches were hoping to add to the roster. With a 4-0 start to the season, Jenkins believes Franklin’s efforts to build the Nittany Lions into a national power again will be a fast one.
The 6-foot-8, 305-pound prospect, ranked No. 103 in the ESPN 300, had more to say about himself and his recruitment, including a few fun facts about his first football memories and who he’s looking forward to competing against at the Under Armour All America Game on Jan. 2.
Sterling Jenkins rocks the #UAALLAMERICA jersey. https://t.co/eISaGNSWxW
— RecruitingNation (@ESPNRNFball) September 25, 2014
What one player are you looking forward to competing against?: Jashon Cornell. I’d like to go against him again. We went against each other at a camp in Columbus, Ohio. I didn’t know who he was, and then I found out who he was and I was trying to recruit him. I think he beat me, but I wasn’t doing very well that day.
If you could start a team with any other player in your class who would it be?: George Campbell. I already know him and I think he’s a good guy. I also know he’s a really good athlete, and I know he can put some points on the board. He recruited me to Michigan when he was committed there, but then he decommitted, so I haven’t talked to him in awhile.
What was your earliest football memory?: Probably when I was in first grade and I was playing on a team with a bunch of fifth-graders. I couldn’t even play with the fifth-graders because I was too heavy. The max was around 120 pounds; I don’t remember how much I weighed, but they wouldn’t let me play. I was a lineman, but I’m not sure which one, though. I think I was around 5-foot-4 back then, so I was taller than everyone.
Which football player did you idolize or want to be like when you were a kid?: I didn’t grow up watching football. I would watch it but I never really knew the names, so I didn’t really have anyone I idolized. Everyone used to say I look like Jonathan Ogden, and I think he’s a cool guy to look up to.
If you could take on any pro player in their sport who would it be?: I would probably want to go against Kobe Bryant to see how good he is. I know I would get beat, but I think it would be funny to do it.
Why do you wear your number?: I wear 72, and it was between 72 and 75. In my school, those two are the only triple extra large jerseys, and 72 happened to be my dad’s birth year, my old line coach’s high school number and Penn State’s offensive line coach, Coach (Herb) Hand, it was his old college number.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?: Brennan Williams plays for the Texans, and on his Twitter he talks a lot about anime and wrestling. I don’t know him, but we both like games and anime. Back in the day there was a movie on Cartoon Network and me and my brother were watching it. It wasn’t like Pokemon or anything -- it was a high-quality anime movie and we just thought it was crazy and we started watching it ever since.