Issah talks PSU visit, offers

As has been well-documented, Zayd Issah was committed to Penn State then de-committed at the end of August. Through the roller coaster ride of his recruitment, the Nittany Lions have stayed near the top of Issah's list. The athlete from Harrisburg (Pa.) Central Dauphin recently took a visit to Happy Valley for the Ohio State game.

"The Penn State visit was awesome," Issah said. "I haven't seen a college atmosphere like Beaver Stadium. They've got so many seats and so many people that come out to the games. Even though they didn't do too well that game, the excitement around the program is just awesome. I've been there so many times, I try to stay away from the recruiting tours and sit with other people I know so can get a feel for what it's really like."

Other than Penn State how does Issah feel about the other schools that are courting him?

"I wouldn't say I have a favorite but I like Penn State, Oregon, Arizona State, Ohio State, Miami and Alabama," explained the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Issah. "Oregon has been one of my favorite teams. I was born out there so I've been a Duck fan for a while. I moved to Pennsylvania when I was four years old. Oregon is still home to me and my mom's side of the family is all over the west coast.

"At Arizona State, I've been in contact with Coach (Mike) Norvell ever since he was at Pittsburgh," Issah said. "They (Arizona State) are interesting because they what me to play H-back and I think it's a good thing. I don't really care what side of the ball I play on but a position like that is getting more popular in the NFL and there aren't that many guys playing it in college so it's kind of a specialty thing.

"Ohio State has been saying I'd get an offer from them soon," he said. "Last year, Coach (Urban) Meyer called me and said we'd be in touch but I didn't hear anything from them after Alex Anzalone committed and it never picked up again when he de-committed. I'm not really focusing on it right now.

"The coaches from Alabama have been in contact with my coaches about me," said Issah. "Miami came to my school in the spring and I wouldn't mind taking a visit there to see what it is like."

Two of Issah's top schools are facing harsh sanctions from the NCAA but Issah prefers to take an optimistic approach.

"The sanctions at Penn State and Miami don't really bother me because players can still become great players and get drafted regardless of that stuff."

Central Dauphin is having a successful season and is gearing up for the playoffs but Issah has had to play through injuries throughout his senior campaign.

"Earlier this season I sprained my MCL and the doctors say I might have a sports hernia right now," he said. "With these injuries, I'm not sure how much further my recruitment is going to go."