Penn State receives 19th verbal commitment

By JOHN GIBLIN
Collegian Staff Writer

After what many tabbed as a mediocre year for signing new recruits last season, the Penn State football team has gotten off to a ferocious start this year, already receiving 18 verbal commitments from high school seniors-to-be.

Two-way star Adam Taliaferro became No. 19 Friday.

Taliaferro, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back/defensive back from Eastern High School in Voorhees, N.J. added his name yesterday to Penn State's recruiting class of 2000 - considered to be the best in the nation thus far.

"I went up there a couple of weeks ago and it just felt right," he said. "Education and a chance to play are the most important to me."

As a junior, Taliaferro rushed for 1,238 yards and 24 touchdowns for Eastern football coach Larry Ginsburg, averaging 8.8 yards per carry. He also caught two touchdown passes and returned an opening kickoff 90 yards for a score. His 27 total touchdowns led not only the Olympic Conference American Division last season, but all of South Jersey.

"Taliaferro uses his outstanding vision and breakaway speed to produce big play after big play," said Mike Bakas of the Eastern Football Journal.

On defense, Taliaferro was named first team All-South Jersey and third team all-state. He intercepted four passes last season, and was being recruited by most schools as a defensive back. Taliaferro is expected to play cornerback for Penn State, he said.

Inside the classroom, Taliaferro is equally as impressive. He maintains a 3.4 grade point average and scored a 1080 on the SAT.

In addition to shedding blockers, Taliaferro has had to sift through more than 20 scholarship offers this season. Besides the Nittany Lions, he also considered national powers Nebraska, Tennessee and Michigan, as well as Boston College, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Auburn, North Carolina, and Syracuse.

Taliaferro doesn't mind the numerous phone calls and letters from coaches across the nation, however.

"There is really nothing not to like about the recruiting process right now," he said. "I like all the attention with it."

Taliaferro enters this season as the number two-rated running back prospect in New Jersey to Hoboken High School's Tyrell Dortch, a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder who is considering attending Penn State after high school.

Taliaferro attended Penn State's Blue-White game on April 24, and camped at Penn State's Nike Training Camp later in the summer, where he posted a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 33-inch vertical jump. He had camped at Nebraska last year.

"I did a lot of defensive one-on-one while I was at Penn State. I think that helped me to stand out," Taliaferro said. "Penn State camp gave me a chance to work the defensive back coach."

Taliaferro is a three-sport star for the Vikings. When not competing on the football field, he can be found on the hardwood, where he competes for the Eastern basketball team. He also competes in the high jump for the track and field team, where he has had a top jump of 6-foot-5 last year. He has also been timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.

Penn State wide receivers coach Kenny Jackson was the first to contact Taliaferro, and was one of the main reasons for the star's commitment. Jackson originates from Neptune, N.J. - only a few miles from Taliaferro's home town.

"Coach Jackson is my favorite coach because he stays in touch with me the most," Taliaferro said. "He always is sending me emails, and he is a good guy."