I'm glad they went a different direction with Bill. Part of the problem with a "Penn State guy" is that it's a Paterno-esque way of running a program. When the program got thumped in the first half of the 2000-2010 decade, it was because the college game had turned into a meritocracy system with player talent and starting (start the kids who have the best talent and give the team its greatest shot at winning), and not the old-school seniority system Paterno ran. Paterno was so fiercely loyal to his seniors, and even when he had to "change his tune" to keep up with recruiting, he never really did posess the objectivity that a modern, merit/talent-based system required, still giving much to his seniors and starters.

All that is to say that going back into the pool for a "Penn State guy" is exactly what the program shouldn't do. Because the "Penn State way" is outmoded, unfair, and unpopular. Penn State didn't have the kind of pull over PA kids like it used to. Paterno's loyalty issues were that reason. PA HS coaches knew their kids could get a better experience elsewhere.

It's nice for Lavar to say that...but if Lavar was a high school senior today, and Paterno's way was still the one employed at PSU, Lavar wouldn't even bother. He'd see more time elsewhere. Most/any top recruit would.