Nittany Lions add Rivals100 RB Noah Cain to 2019 Class

Ja'Juan Seider's running back room took a major step in the right direction Wednesday, as Penn State added another elite running back to the Class of 2019.

After signing five-star tailback Devyn Ford earlier this morning, Penn State has now earned a commitment from IMG Academy tailback Noah Cain. A four-star prospect who's originally from Denton, Texas, Cain chose the Lions over Texas, Georgia and Tennessee.

"As I told you previously, there were a lot of things that made Penn State unique," said Terence Cain, Noah's father. "Of course, we feel very comfortable with their coaches. They're a great group of people. They're very genuine people. We also got the experience to sit down with the athletic director and the president of the school. That meant a lot to not just me, but my son and my wife, as well."

"That was a great experience. We really learned so much about what Penn State has to offer its student-athletes, not just while they're on campus but long after. The networking connections there are incredible, so when we looked at the football side and the academic side, Penn State was just a great fit."

Cain earned an offer from the Nittany Lions back in January, but it wasn't until late-April, when Cain and his father visited the school for the first time, that Penn State became a serious player in his recruitment. By that time, he had already visited Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, among others.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound back was hoping to return to Penn State at the end of July for the Lasch Bash barbecue, but he was ultimately forced to stay in Florida, as IMG began its preseason camp that same weekend. However, Cain's mother and father still made the trip on their own. There, they met with multiple family members of players already committed, as well as what the university could offer academically.

“Last time when we came, we knew we really wanted mom to come out here, before we setup any officials,” said Mr. Cain, following the Lasch Bash. “So, that’s a big reason we made this visit and mom really, really enjoyed it. She’s pleased and happy with the academics, the athletics, just the entire family atmosphere around the place. She likes the coaches and their families, too. It was a very good trip for us.”

Following official visits to Auburn and Texas, Penn State earned his third official in Nov. 9-11, as Cain and his family attended the game against Wisconsin. He then went to Georgia two weeks later before taking his final official visit to Tennessee Dec. 14-16.

Cain, who ranks 73rd overall and is the fifth-ranked running back, will participate in the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 3.