The Wild, Wild Ride of Penn State's 2018 Recruiting Class
Penn State coach James Franklin beamed in December 2017 at the recruiting class his staff had just signed, one that he expected would launch Penn State into championship contention for years to come.
The 23-player Class of 2018 was loaded, from its three five-star players to its wealth of four-star prospects. The class ranked sixth nationally according to 247Sports and second in the Big Ten, carrying the deepest roster of recruits Penn State had seen in years.
During the 2020 season, that class became one of the team's most compelling stories. It was laced with key starters, disappointments, injuries and plenty of curiosity.
Jahan Dotson flexed into an All-Big Ten receiver, Rasheed Walker certified himself among the conference's top offensive tackles and fellow lineman Juice Scruggs played for the first time since 2019.
Seven players, including NFL prospects Pat Freiermuth and Jayson Oweh, were starters. Freiermuth's season, however, ended after four games because of an injury.
Meanwhile, All-American linebacker Micah Parsons was gone before his junior year, as were the two other five-star prospects. Six players from the 2018 class transferred or have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. One entered the portal during the season. Two players were forced to retire before their careers even began.
Other players returned from serious injuries or battled through new ones. One became Tom Brady's neighbor. Another transferred following his freshman season and filed a hazing lawsuit against Penn State, Franklin and a former teammate.
So what to make of Penn State's 2018 recruits? These are their stories.
Pat Freiermuth: One of 12 four-star prospects in the class, Freiermuth was a 2019 All-American who twice decided to return to Penn State for the 2020 season. He played in four games, breaking the school record for touchdown receptions by a tight end, but sustained an injury against Ohio State that led to season-ending surgery. He now looks toward the 2021 NFL draft.
Jahan Dotson: Once committed to UCLA, Dotson returned to his home-state team and made the starting lineup as a freshman. In 2020 he became Penn State's breakout offensive star, punctuating the season with two touchdown catches of 70+ yards against Illinois. Dotson announced in January that he will return for his senior season.
Jayson Oweh: Penn State began the season with high expectations for the four-star defensive end who took over for Yetur Gross-Matos. Oweh was disruptive in his first, and only, year as a college starter, finishing with 6.5 tackles for loss. He ultimately decided to enter the NFL Draft.
Rasheed Walker: A multi-year starter at left tackle, Walker made an important decision for Penn State's offense when he chose to return for 2021. With another strong season, Walker is poised to become Penn State's highest-drafted lineman since second-rounder Donovan Smith in 2015.
Jesse Luketa: The linebacker, a defensive captain, assumed Parsons' place outside, finishing second on the team with 59 tackles. He will return next season with position flexibility, able to play both inside and outside.
PJ Mustipher: The defensive lineman made 35 tackles in his first season as a full-time starter. With the departures of Shaka Toney, Antonio Shelton and Oweh, Mustipher becomes the line's most experienced veteran.
Will Levis: The quarterback made his second career start against Iowa, ceding the job back to Sean Clifford after fumbling twice. He and Clifford played distinct roles the remainder of the season, and Levis apparently decided that was enough. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal as a graduate student with three years of eligibility.
Juice Scruggs: The four-star offensive lineman from Ohio played for the first time in two years. Scruggs did not play in 2019 while recuperating from an injury he sustained in a car accident. But Scruggs returned eager to prove himself as a valuable, and versatile, lineman who can play guard and center. He ultimately appeared in seven games at guard, showing marked improvement with each outing.
Daniel George: The 6-4 receiver, who still holds the record for the longest reception in school history, caught seven passes for 73 yards. He played mostly a reserve role and looks to become a bigger contributor next season.
Jake Pinegar: The kicker missed three of his first four field goals, including two in the season-opening loss to Indiana. But Pinegar closed the season 8-for-9 with a long of 40 yards.
Zack Kuntz: He was a four-star prospect at tight end with Freiermuth who needed to add mass to his 6-7 frame. Kuntz played in six games last season but did not record a catch.
Judge Culpepper: The defensive end, who became offseason neighbors with Tom Brady, played in all nine games, making five tackles. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in December, ultimately choosing Toledo.
Nick Tarburton: Also a defensive end, Tarburton fought injuries for two years that hindered his development. Before the season, Oweh said that Tarburton looked "completely rejuvenated" and ready to contribute. He eventually played in seven games, with two tackles and a quarterback hurry.
Trent Gordon: The former cornerback shifted to safety last season and played in the first three games. He entered the transfer portal in November and chose Arkansas.
Charlie Katshir: The linebacker played in three games during the season's first month but was unavailable after that, Franklin said. Before the season, defensive coordinator Brent Pry raved about Katshir, saying he could play all three linebacker positions.
Aeneas Hawkins: A defensive tackle, Hawkins appeared in one game for the Lions. He was named a developmental-squad co-player of the week before the Nebraska game.
Bryce Effner: The offensive lineman played primarily on special teams, appearing in eight games with one tackle.
Micah Parsons: The highest-ranked player in the class delivered two exceptional seasons, leading Penn State in tackles twice, before announcing plans to opt out of 2020. Despite the coaching staff's efforts, Parsons did not return.
Justin Shorter: The former five-star receiver never found his stride at Penn State, laboring through injuries and inconsistency in 2019. So he sought a fresh start, transferring to Florida. George finished sixth on the team in receptions (25 for 268 yards and three touchdowns) last season.
Ricky Slade: Another five-star prospect, Slade began the 2019 season as the starting back but ceded playing time to Journey Brown, Noah Cain and Devyn Ford. Ultimately, Slade sought another opportunity as well, transferring to Old Dominion and joining former Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne. Old Dominion did not play last season.
Nana Asiedu: A four-star lineman with a high ceiling, Asiedu retired from football before his freshman season after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Jordan Miner: Another promising four-star prospect, the defensive back also was forced to give up football because of a heart condition diagnosed before his freshman season. Miner was just 17 at the time.
Isaiah Humphries: A three-star defensive back whose father Leonard played at Penn State, Humphries transferred to the University of California after his freshman season. Humphries last year filed a lawsuit against Penn State, Franklin and a former teammate alleging that he was hazed and harassed while with the team. Humphries filed a third amended complaint of the suit in October.
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