As Lawrenceville (N.J.) School tight end Sean Currie sifted through the information, as he looked at Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser‘s history and usage of the tight end, the already strong appeal of playing for the Nittany Lions grew and grew.
Once Currie got to know Mouser and Penn State coach Matt Campbell and saw the history of how they used the tight end during their time at Iowa State, it became an easy decision.
So the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Currie, who was a big-time lacrosse commit when he committed to Virginia in the fall for both sports before decommitting in March, ended his football recruitment and announced his Penn State commitment Friday.
“My whole life I never thought this was going to be an option,” he said. “This was only my second year of playing football. I always thought I was going to go for lacrosse. This being real life now is kind of surreal to me.”
Currie had a strong junior season on the gridiron. He caught 34 passes for 474 yards and eight touchdowns and became a key tight end target for programs around the country.
When he got to know Campbell and Mouser and learned how much the tight end was part of the offense, it vaulted the Nittany Lions up his list.
“How coach Mouser still used his tight ends at Iowa State, the stats to back up what they did with the tight ends, now he is going to have even better tight ends at Penn State,” Currie said. “The things he will be able to do with tight ends now are endless and I want to be a part of it.
“Having your tight ends coach also be your offensive coordinator, there are not a lot of teams around the country you can say that for.”
Here is what you need to know:
WHAT SEAN CURRIE SAYS ABOUT PENN STATE
“Growing up, I watched Penn State my whole life,” Currie said. “My brother is a die-hard Penn State fan. It’s something I would never imagine myself playing in. I am so grateful to have this opportunity.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Currie listed Texas A&M, Ohio State, Penn State, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech as his finalists but the focus was on Texas A&M, Ohio State and Penn State. Those were the three official visits he had set but the visit to Penn State in the spring pushed the Nittany Lions to the top and they were able to maintain their lead. The concerns about the class filling up was part of the reason for the commitment before official visits but the biggest part was Currie wanted to be closer to home, he grew up watching Penn State and there is enormous trust and belief in the coaching staff.
WHERE SEAN CURRIE RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Currie has a 247Sports grade of 89, which makes him a high-three-star prospect. He is the nation’s No. 20 tight end and New Jersey’s No. 10 player. In the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Currie is New Jersey’s No. 15 player and the nation’s No. 32 tight end and No. 560 overall prospect.
HOW SEAN CURRIE FITS WITH PENN STATE
The building of a huge class continues for the Nittany Lions, and he is the second tight end. He joins Top247 tight end Cooper Terwilliger of Pierre (S.D.) T.F. Riggs in a class that has 19 members.
Currie will arrive with a ton of upside since he only started playing football two years ago. He has the ability to add mass to his frame and the Nittany Lions believe he will be at 260 pounds when he gets on the field.
He is one of the top lacrosse players in the nation. The change of direction and body control needed to play as a long pole helps with his route running as a tight end, he said.
