According to Philly.com, Penn State has secured their second commitment of the 2011 recruiting season, one that was long expected, yet comes as a relief to those who’ve wondered just what the heck was going on, as the calendar turned into July with just one member of next year’s class on board.  As teams like Ohio State are firming up the final touches on their recruiting class, Penn State is just getting started. The Lansdowne, Pa. product of Penn Wood’s high school could get things started though, and soothe a fanbase that was on the verge of freaking out.

Oakman is rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals, and as the #20 defensive end in the country and #7 player in the state of Pennsylvania.  Scout ranks Oakman as a 3-star prospect, and lists scholarship offers from such other schools as Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, UConn, and South Carolina.  The 6’8, 240 pound prospect has a tremendous frame, and could develop into a special player.   He uses his size to play a standout tight end as well, but figures to slot in on the other side.

A highly-touted basketball prospect as well, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine Oakman serving double duty, like Jordan Norwood did at the start of his Penn State career.  In fact, over the past year, Oakman drew interest from schools such as LaSalle and St. Joseph’s for a basketball scholarship, and Penn State reportedly offered him a chance to play both sports in Happy Valley.

But on the football side of things, Oakman is coming off an impressive junior season:

Shawn Oakman finished his junior season with 136 tackles, 17 sacks and four fumbles caused. Offensively, he had 20 catches for four touchdowns. He says he can bench 275-pounds.

Oakman is excited to come to Penn State, and he picked the right school to accomplish his goals.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Oakman, who plans on wearing No. 91 at State College. “It came down to what I thought what college should be and also what college coach was going to push from being good to being great. I think Coach Johnson and Coach Vanderlinden can do that. That’s why I choose Penn State.”

It’s almost getting old to say that Larry Johnson is the best position coach in the country, but that’s the fact.  In the past few years alone, Oakman has seen players like Jared Odrick, Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans, Jay Alford, and Tamba Hali go from Penn State to the NFL and those represent just a fraction of those LJ has coached to greatness.  Hopefully Oakman’s 91 will be reminiscent of the one who preceded him at that number.

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