Nittany Lions Close The Deal

Chris Colasanti, a Scout.com, National “Hot 100”, candidate, from Brother Rice high in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., had Penn State at the top of his wish list for at least the last month or so. A recent visit to Iowa was thought to tilt the scales a little bit but Joe Pa slammed the door shut when Colasanti and his family made a recent trip to Happy Valley.

“I was really impressed with Iowa,” said Colasanti, a 6-foot-2, 233-pound, inside linebacker.

“I went on that Iowa visit thinking that I wasn’t going to like it but I did. The Iowa coaches were great, the facilities were very nice. I liked the campus and the people. It was just a very nice trip.

“After the Iowa visit, I went to Penn State for a visit with my family and that’s where it all ended for me. I arrived on a Wednesday and by Thursday, I told my parents and Coach (Ron) Vanderlinden that I was going to commit.

“On Friday, we sat down with Coach (Joe) Paterno, my parents did most of the talking because I’m a little shy but at the end of the meeting, I just told Coach Paterno that it was an honor receiving a scholarship offer from him and if it was alright with him, I’d like to commit to Penn State.

“Coach Paterno had this big smile on his face. He stood up, reached out and shook my hand and told me that he was really happy and excited.”

A year ago, Colasanti would’ve waited on his childhood favorite.

“It this was last year, I think I would have waited for Notre Dame to offer.” Colasanti said.

“As the process went on and Notre Dame didn’t offer, I began to feel more comfortable with Penn State. When I visited Penn State, I knew right there that I wanted to commit. I found the perfect fit.

“I also had the chance to sit down with a few of the current Penn State linebackers, Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee. I hung out with Sean Lee quite a bit and we hit it off real well. It was great to talk to Posluszny as well. He went out of his way to answer my questions and he made me feel very comfortable.”

This is a great get for Penn State. Colasanti is one of the finest “Mike” linebacker prospects in the nation. Colasanti should be prospect that receives consideration for participation in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as well.

Colasanti had 153 tackles and four sacks as a junior and earned all-state honors.