Graham makes his pledge

The hits just keep on coming for Penn State, as Joe Paterno and Co. picked up their fifth commitment in the Class of 2010 and their third in just over a week as Harrison City (Pa.) Penn-Trafford offensive lineman Luke Graham gave his pledge to Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Bradley on Monday afternoon.

"It was just about a half-hour ago, I called Coach Bradley up and told him that I would be committing," said Graham. "He was excited, we were both excited. I thought about it this weekend, and I knew that was where I wanted to go to school and where I wanted to play football."

The veteran defensive coordinator was more than happy to accept Graham's word.

"He was excited," the junior lineman said of Bradley. "I think he knew it was coming, because I had talked to him before, and told him that I had to talk to my family about it and work things out. We thought it would be the best choice. He said the offer was in the mail, and he's a good guy, so I'll take his word for it."

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior said that Penn State offered him the best mix of athletics and academics. Graham grew up a Penn State fan, and his father is a Penn State alum.

"There's nothing like Penn State's football, and it's a great education. It's just awesome."

Graham played both offensive tackle and defensive end for Penn-Trafford in 2008, where he earned first team all-conference honors and was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette East's Fabulous 22 squad.

Graham joins new commits Adrian Coxson and Silas Redd, as well as fellow WPIAL prospects Mike Hull and Paul Jones in the Nittany Lions Class of 2010.