Penn State Nittany Lions Flip 2017 Florida DT Commit Fred Hansard

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Penn State added their sixth four-star recruit to their 2017 class on Sunday when New Jersey defensive tackle Fred Hansard decided Happy Valley was the place for him.

Hansard was one of the more widely recruited defensive tackles in the nation racking in some 30 offers before committing to PSU. The Nittany Lions staff stayed on the 6-3, 310 pound, recruit despite his Aug. 26 commitment to Florida. A change was seemingly coming after a Nov. 5 unofficial visit to Penn State and a Nov. 26 official. Seeing PSU wrap up a Big Ten division title with a win against Michigan State over the weekend sealed the deal.

Hansard helped Hun High School to an 8-0 record this season. The Raiders standout overwhelmed the opposition with his size being a constant presence in the backfield on running and passing downs.

Penn State fans found out about Hansard’s commitment on Twitter with a post reading, “I’m finally home!” followed by a statement:

247Sports rates PSU’s 2017 class No. 20 in the nation, No. 4 overall in the Big Ten. Rivals ranks Penn State’s class No. 21 in the country.

Penn State Nittany Lions 2017 Recruiting Class (15)

CB D.J. Brown, 5-11, 175, Creekside HS, Fairburn, GA

SS Jonathan Sutherland, 6-0, 195, Episcopal, Alexandria, VA

LB Dylan Rivers, 6-2, 230, Sherando HS, Stephens City, VA

LB Brelin Faison-Walden, 6-1, 200, Grimsley HS, Greensboro, NC

DE Damion Barber, 6-3, 244, Harrisburg HS, Harrisburg, PA

DE Yetur Matos, 6-5, 235, Chancellor HS, Fredericksburg, VA

DT Fred Hansard, 6-3, 310, Hun School, Princeton, NJ

OG CJ Thorpe, 6-3, 318, Central Catholic, Pittsburgh, PA

OG Michael Miranda, 6-4, 290, Stow-Munroe Falls, Stow, OH

OT Desmond Holmes, 6-5, 325, Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, PA

OT Robert Martin, 6-5, 265, St. Joseph HS, Montvale, NJ

QB Sean Clifford, 6-2, 210, St. Xavier, Cincinnati, OH

WR Cameron Sullivan-Brown, 6-1, 180, St. Vincent Pallotti, Laurel, MD

WR Mac Hippenhammer, 6-0, 170, R Nelson Snider, Fort Wayne, IN

ATH Brailyn Franklin, 6-2, 200, Battlefield HS, Haymarket, VA

 

Photo credit: NJ.com; Fred Hansard.