Penn State flipped the Milton (Mass.) Academy tight end Andrew Rappleeyea from Michigan, he announced on Sunday morning. The three-star prospect signed to the Wolverines back in January. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect announced the news on his Twitter account.
“Michigan is a great place with great people, but the reality is I committed too quickly and take full responsibility for it,” he wrote. “I’ve realized that Penn State is my heart. I have developed a strong relationship with the coaching staff since my first visit last September. I’m looking forward to enrolling at Penn State and playing football four hours from home.
“I am totally committed to Penn State. My recruitment is closed.”
Rappleayea attended Penn State and Boston College in March. Duke, Florida, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others were also offered during the process. Penn State was previously at the top of his list, but things changed when the Nittany Lions made signings from several tight ends early in the process. He was recruited by a tight ends coach for the Nittany Lions Ty howl and also took part in a game last fall. He is the seventh member of the Nittany Lions Class of 2023.
“Coach Howle was just telling me how extremely tight-end friendly the offense is,” he said after his November visit. “That being a part of it is a great insult.
“The way they use the tight end, the location, the level of football and the education is there. The fact that I can play football at this high level, with a position that’s actually … they employ 13 staff (one running back, three tight ends) every single game.”
Rappleyea traded from Poughkeepsie (NY) Our Lady of Lourdes for his junior season and Penn State offered September 1. He was used in a run-heavy offensive, but was still able to make a name for himself in the passing game. He finished with 21 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
Rappleyea, a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite rankings, is ranked #373 overall in the Class of 2023 and #19 tight end nationally according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is #5 in the Massachusetts strong cycle.
With his acceptance, Penn State returns to eight engagements in the Class of 2023. Last weekend, defensive end Neeo Avery retired from his stint with the Nittany Lions. The class ranks fifth nationally in the early 247Sports team recruitment rankings. Rappleyea is the second listed tight end in the class, joining three-star prospect Joey Schlaffer of Pennsylvania. Six of Penn State’s eight signings are expected to land on the offensive side of the ball in the class, including four offensive linemen.