The Penn State football program picked up verbal commitment No. 24 in its Class of 2004 from McKees Rocks defensive back and Pennsylvania Class-A Player of the Year Adam DiMichele.

The 6-foot, 170-pound prospect played quarterback for the majority of his high school career at Sto-Rox, but was recruited by Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley as a cornerback.

DiMichele was not highly courted by national programs, partly because he did not partake in any recruitment summer camps. However, he did have offers from Fordham, Ohio and Central Michigan.

"There were a few small schools that came in late in my season," DiMichele said. "Coach Bradley believes in me, and he thinks that I can win. It's over now, and I can enjoy my senior year. I'm hoping to prove people wrong and do my thing. I think I can play, and I'm glad Coach Bradley and Penn State stuck with me."

Upon arriving home from his official visit to Penn State this past weekend, Coach Bradley called DiMichele Monday night to inform him that the Lions were offering him a scholarship. DiMichele accepted on the spot.

DiMichele threw for more than 2,300 yards in his senior season, but said he was strictly recruited as a defensive back.

"I played defensive back at the end of the season," DiMichele said.

"My athleticism pulled me through and I think that's what the coaching staff liked. I'm hoping to prove some people wrong and play for Penn State."

Aside from being a standout football player, DiMichele is also a touted pitcher. He consistently throws in the 90-mph range, and has been clocked as high as 92 mph. He has an offer from UNC-Charlotte to play baseball, but said the Penn State coaching staff will allow him to play both football and baseball as long as he can maintain his grades.

"I thought baseball was already my first love," DiMichele said. "I'd been playing it the longest. I think they're going to let me play baseball. If my grades are good and the coach is interested in me playing, I'm going to try out."

Adam's father, Dominic DiMichele, said that other college football programs, including Notre Dame, showed early interest in the Sto-Rox athlete, but declined to offer, citing that DiMichele was too short to play quarterback.

"We went to visit, and he really liked everything about it," Dominic DiMichele said. "He really liked Coach Bradley."

Vic Surma was DiMichele's host.