PSU adds big-time kicker
Penn State's recruiting class got a kick on Wednesday afternoon, as Houston (Texas) St. Pius X placekicker Anthony Fera, ranked the No. 2 player at his position in the country by Rivals.com, switched his verbal commitment from Michigan to the Nittany Lions.
He called Penn State recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary with the news over his lunch break, said his father, Tony Fera.
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"I just talked to Anthony, he just talked to McQueary and gave him the news," said the elder Fera. "He committed to Penn State, and he's pretty happy with his decision."
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound also had a grayshirt offer from Ohio State, in addition to scholarship offers from Penn State, Michigan and Kansas State. In the end,
"In his heart he just feels that Penn State is the best place for him," he said. "We have a ton of respect for the University of Michigan, but in his heart he felt that Penn State was the place where he could accomplish what he wanted to accomplish in college."
Fera won the field goal competition and earned the Kickoff Champion award at the Chris Sailer Kicking Camp in Sherman Oaks, Calif., in July. He sealed the field goal competition by nailing back-to-back 60-yarders.
This season, Fera is 18 for 19 on extra points and is 4 for 4 on field goals with a long of 39 yards.
Fera becomes the 19th member of the Penn State Class of 2009, and the first commitment since Devon Smith on Sept. 30.
Stay tuned to BlueWhiteIllustrated.com, your unquestioned leader in Penn State recruiting coverage, for more from Fera and continuing coverage of the Class of 2009.