National Signing Day is arguably the single biggest day of the offseason for college football coaches. The upcoming freshman class is essentially finalized as high school stars fax in their letters of intent to coaching staffs huddled around often outdated and malfunctioning equipment. Unfortunately, the Penn State Nittany Lions will be without new head coach Bill O'Brien on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as the New England Patriots prepare for Super Bowl XLVI, according to Joe Schad:
The Nittany Lions have been hemorrhaging recruits ever since the late Joe Paterno was fired back in November. The Ohio State Buckeyes have been the biggest beneficiaries, securing former PSU commits Joey O'Connor, David Perkins, Tommy Schutt and Camren Williams. Four-star defensive back Armani Reeves announced his decommitment Monday, and will decide between the Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines.
Though, the precise effect of the Patriots' long run through the playoffs is unknown, it cannot have helped that O'Brien has had to divert much of his time game planning for NFL opponents while other college coaches are chatting up mothers inside the homes of potential commitments.
For more on the Penn State Nittany Lions, be sure to head over to the SB Nation blog Black Shoe Diaries. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more recruiting updates up to Signing Day.