Penn State Football Recruiting Commit Breakdown: ATH Nick Tarburton

By Fansided and Marty Leap/FanSided via Victory Bell Rings
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:22 p.m. ET

Three-star defensive athlete Nick Tarburton has committed to Penn State

Right now, the Penn State Nittany Lions have the best recruiting class in the country for the 2018 cycle. Their 2018 recruiting class already features a pair of five-star recruits and is nearly 100 points better than the next closest program, the Miami Hurricanes. On Thursday evening Nick Tarburton became the eleventh commitment in this 2018 recruiting class.

Nick Tarburton is a native of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, and attends Pennridge High School. Tarburton visited campus for Penn State’s mini junior day on January 29th. It was during this visit that the Nittany Lions offered Tarburton. Nick chose the Nittany Lions over scholarship offers from Louisville, Michigan State, and Pitt, among others.

The six-foot-three, 242-pound Tarburton plays middle linebacker at Pennridge High. However, the Nittany Lions are recruiting him as a defensive athlete. Depending on how his frame fills out Tarburton could play MIKE linebacker, defensive end, or defensive tackle at Penn State. Personally, I will be surprised if he does not grow into a defensive lineman.

Nick Tarburton is a very good athlete and already has great size. It is this combination that could allow him to play one of three positions in college. His high football IQ helps as well.

Nick Tarburton is a big, strong kid. He also does a very good job of changing direction and pursuing the ball carrier. He also accelerates well and does a great job of filling holes from the linebacker position.

He also does a very good job of shedding blocks. Obviously, if he is going to be playing on the defensive line this will be a very key component to his success. Tarburton also has a keen sence of being aware of where the ball is at all times.

If Tarburton ends up at linebacker, he joins Charlie Katshir and Jesse Luketa as current linebacker commits in the 2018 class. If he ends up on the defensive line, he joins Micah Parsons as a defensive line commit.

You can watch his film here. Welcome to Happy Valley, Nick!

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