Kenney decides to stay home
Penn State has been all over the map in its Class of 2010, pulling in verbal commitments from Pittsburgh, Michigan, Virginia and even Texas. On Tuesday, it added a little hometown flavor, as State College native Alex Kenney committed to the Nittany Lions.
The four-star wide receiver became the 13th member of the Nittany Lions' recruiting class, when he chose to stay home over offers from Boston College, North Carolina, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Virginia and others.
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"At first, I kind of wanted to get out of town, but then I was thinking about it, and I got to know the coaching staff and the newer recruits," he said. "I felt like this was home."
The 6-foot, 194-pound Kenney and his family dropped by the Lasch Building on Tuesday afternoon to deliver the news to Mike McQueary and the Penn State coaching staff.
"It was just my parents and I and Coach McQueary," he said. "We had previously talked about possibly maybe committing at a certain time, and I guess today was the day. He seemed pretty happy."
The speedy rising senior, who posted a district record 10.64-second 100-meter dash this spring and took home a state silver medal at states, continues the Nittany Lions' infusion of top-flight speed into the program. He also picked up a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter dash at states this spring.
"Hopefully I can be a speed guy, someone who can make plays," he said. "I'm just looking for an opportunity."
Kenney was an all-state selection as a sophomore and junior, and caught 16 passes for 240 yards, and ran for 670 yards. He played wing back for the Little Lions, who finished the season 12-1.
He is relieved to get his recruitment in the books, and anxious to prove what he can do on a bigger stage.
"It feels great, I guess now I have basically everyone I grew up with, adults and kids, who are probably going to watch me play in the next couple of years. I'm hoping I can make them proud."