If Matt Ortega is right about his star player, Penn State fans can start figuring out all the clever word plays to describe Knowledge Timmons now.

The Penn State verbal commit with the unique first name -- Knowledge! How clever! -- also has unique speed and talent, according to Ortega, Timmons' high school coach at William Penn High School in York.

Timmons -- who announced his verbal commitment to Penn State on Dec. 23, the day after No. 1 recruit Derrick Williams committed to Penn State -- was the state champion in the 100- and 200-meter dash as a junior, but he wasn't getting any recognition on the football field.

Labeled as a "track guy" playing football, he wasn't getting many football scholarship offers, either.

Until this year.

"Before this season, he only had two [football] scholarship offers, and only because of his speed," Ortega said.

"But he is a player; he's a hitter. Every team that saw his senior film offered."

As a football player, Timmons seems to get better every year, Ortega said.

According to national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, Timmons is "the most underrated player in the East."

And soon enough, if you ask Ortega, Penn State fans will be making their quirky jokes when the man with the astute name makes a smart play.

Timmons and Williams highlighted a busy recruiting period for Penn State during the semester break.

In addition to Timmons and Williams of Greenbelt, Md., the Lions also had several other verbal commitments, including linebacker Sean Lee from Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh, and athlete Willie Harriott from Hyde Leadership School in New Haven, Conn.

Both Lee and Harriott are ranked as three-star prospects by the online recruiting service Rivals.com.

Accolades

Linebacker Dan Connor was named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Scripps, his second such honor this offseason.

Connor, who was also named to The Sporting News' Freshman All-American first team, was the only Big Ten Conference defensive player to be named to the Scripps first team.

In his first year out of Wallingford's Strath Haven High School, Connor saw extensive time throughout the season at both middle and outside linebacker. Connor racked up 85 tackles (50 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception on the season, despite not seeing significant playing time until a mid-season injury to Tim Shaw.

"It's just been unbelievable," Connor said of his experiences during the season. "Everyone's been great, they've helped me through.

"It's been tough as a freshman, but you just learn the system, a couple positions," he added. "So far it's been unbelievable."

Connor had several impressive games for the Lions, reaching double digits in tackles in four games -- including a 16-stop performance against Northwestern, the most in a game for Penn State since 2002.