Penn State Adds Another Defensive Tackle Prior To Signing Day

James Franklin continues to add to the Big Ten‘s fourth-ranked recruiting class as he picked up another defensive lineman Sunday morning.

Three-star defensive tackle Antonio Shelton announced his decision to join Penn State through a tweet.

Blessed to have the chance to wear blue and white next year. I’m committing to Penn State!!🔵⚪️ #WeAre #WildDogs pic.twitter.com/ILqiBSJsLo

— Antonio Shelton (@KiiidShelton) January 31, 2016

 

The 6-foot-3, 280 pound interior lineman from Westerville, Ohio had previously committed to Tim Beckman at Illinois on June 26, but has been visiting other schools, which include Tennessee and Rutgers.

Shelton joins four-star defensive tackle Ellison Jordan in the Nittany Lions’ Class of 2016 as well as defensive ends Daniel Joseph and Shaka Toney to round out the entire defensive front.

Franklin continues to do well in recruiting, which is impressive considering he’s competing with Urban Meyer, Jim Harbaugh and Mark Dantonio in the Big Ten. Harbaugh has been making a habit lately of swiping prospects previously committed to the Nittany Lions, though Franklin has also taken recruits from others in the conference. His most recent acquisition was kicker Alex Barbir, who was previously committed to Rutgers. That move prompted previously committed kicker Quinn Nordin to pull out and look elsewhere.

Penn State continues to look for depth on the defensive line as the dominant group from 2015 will be moving on, most of which will be playing on Sunday next season. Carl Nassib, Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson are all expected to be selected in the top half of the draft.