Lions get first commit

And his name is Kyle Carter, a tight end from New Castle, Del.

Yes, Carter’s offer list (scholarships from Bucknell and Delaware besides Penn State), but let me explain why this commitment, the first of a class that will end up being 15 (maybe 16 at the most) isn’t as odd as it may seem on the surface.

First of all, Penn State’s first two targets at tight end (Oil City’s Ben Koyack to Notre Dame and Brian Miller of Andover, Mass., to Boston College) were no longer options. Two other tight end prospects thought to have offers, Dillon van der Wal out of Westlake Village, Calif., (rumored to be a strong UCLA lean) and Westerville, Ohio’s Nick Vannett (thought to be an Ohio State lean) appear unlikely to go to Penn State. There are other tight ends, namely Jack Tabb from Red Bank, N.J., might be more coveted by Lions’ fans, but the fact is he still doesn’t even have an offer from Penn State (and I still think he could get one).

But more importantly, it’s what I see on Carter’s tape that makes his commitment fine with me.

First, and most importantly for any receiver, is Carter catches the ball with his hands. He doesn’t let get into his body where it can clang off his shoulder pads, facemask or whatever else you can think of. He does a good job adjusting to the ball in the air, getting himself in position to make catches on passes that aren’t exactly great throws. He’s tough and doesn’t go down on first contact. On one play he catches a jump ball near the sidelines and carries a bigger defender 10 yards before more defensive players show up to help bring him down. He uses his body well to shield defenders from making plays on the ball, giving him the first opportunity to get to it. There was only one play where he was shown blocking, but he absolutely laid out a defender in the open field. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he can probably add 15-20 pounds, not lose any speed or quickness and become good blocker.

Carter was ecstatic when linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden, who recruits Delaware for Penn State, offered him earlier this week. Some will say because that’s because his only offers were from Division I-AA schools and that’s probably partly true, but it also shows his passion about being a Nittany Lion, which is important in a player. Carter also gets the job done in the classroom, which can’t be overlooked when giving out scholarships that amount to major dollars in today’s college world.

None of this may make you feel better about Penn State’s first pledge for the 2011 class. You may have been fine with Carter’s commitment like me. Just giving you more facts to go on is all.