Matt Campbell has been officially introduced as the 17th head coach in Penn State Football History. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Head coach Matt Campbell‘s overhaul of Penn State Football continues. The Nittany Lions have added 14 new players via the transfer portal, and will only continue to add to that number.
The roster will look a lot different come next fall, but Campbell is getting to work.
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One of the most recent transfer portal additions is Wide Receiver Karon Brookins. Brookins hails from New Jersey and was kind enough to talk with NittanyCentral about his commitment to Penn State.
For Brookins, the transfer portal process was easy.
“Ever since Campbell left, I knew I was coming to Penn State.” Brookins told NittanyCentral. “Me, and Coach Campbell’s relationship is just, very strong.”
When Brookins visited Happy Valley, it left him with no doubts.
“This visit has been amazing,” Brookins said. “Getting a tour of the facility and campus and everything, man, this is amazing.”
The Winslow Township Connection: Playing for Bill Belton
Brookins is a local kid.
He played his high school ball for Penn State alumni, Bill Belton. When his senior season was derailed due to an injury, Matt Campbell and Wide Receivers coach Noah Pauley stuck with Brookins.
“That’s my dog.” Brookins said of Pauley. “At Iowa State, when I was getting recruited [Pauley] would come out a lot. Even during my senior season when I wasn’t playing, just to come up to school, see how I was doing, where my head was at mentally. When I got to Iowa State, he just brought me in. [He] developed me pretty good. I can say he’s a good developer.”
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Inside the Visit: Why Happy Valley “Left No Doubts”
Additionally, Brookins noted the staff’s desire to win.
“Everybody here wants to win.”
For Brookins a chance to play at Penn State, furthermore, win at Penn State, means a lot.
“It means a lot to me.” Brookins said.” Being from Philly, living in Jersey, it means a lot… This is go time. We have to make it happen… We’re going to win a natty.”
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Ian Purdy covers Penn State Football Recruiting for NittanyCentral.
Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
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