As Signing Day Nears, O'Brien, PSU Proudly Push On

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — The first milestone in Bill O'Brien's second year as Penn State head coach arrives Wednesday, when the Nittany Lions finalize their first recruiting class since the NCAA hit the program with sanctions.

Penn State already has five prospects enrolled early as freshmen, including highly rated tight end Adam Breneman. They would be eligible when spring practice starts next month.

Highly rated Virginia quarterback Christian Hackenberg is among recruits scheduled to commit Wednesday, the first day that national letters-of-intent can be filed. Breneman and Hackenberg have been vocal about sticking with O'Brien through the sanctions.

O'Brien set the tone from his first day on the job. Linebacker Michael Mauti, who just finished his senior season, said players knew from the start where they stood because of O'Brien's of honest approach and hard-working approach.