Rivals250 LB Anthony Speca goes public with his commitment to Penn State

Penn State is getting the ball rolling with their 2024 class with the commitment of in-state linebacker Anthony Speca. The 2024 Rivals250 standout from Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic was a target for many major Power Five programs but the Nittany Lions had built such a big early lead that it was going to be too difficult for any other team to catch them.

Speca was just in Happy Valley for a visit this past weekend and that pretty much sealed the deal.

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"When I went on my visit it felt right, I felt at home," Speca said. "I can get everything I want there - the academics, the development, I love the staff, it's close to home. It just felt perfect. I had that gut feeling that I really knew I wanted to go there. It's 'LBU' and I'm an LB from Pennsylvania so I thought, why not Penn State?

"The coaches kept in touch with me more than any school," he said. "Coach Diaz, I love him. I think he's a great coach and he's been awesome to me throughout this entire process. Coach Franklin as well. They've almost become sort of like family. Coach Smith and coach Connor too. I text with them during the season and they were telling me about my games and stuff. It's just been different with them than anyone else. I always feel comfortable with them and I always feel comfortable when I'm up there.

"Ta'Mere (Robinson) was definitely hounding me about it but he's been one of my closest friends since recruiting has kind of started," said Speca. "We both have confided in each other. We talked about it a lot. He loves it up there and they treat him right. I'd love to play with him. Lamont (Payne) is also one of my closest friends. Getting to play with them would be awesome.

"There were a couple schools that prioritized me as much as Penn State but there are things that Penn State has over them," he said. "It's close to home so that was a big thing. At first I didn't really know if I wanted to stay close but I think it's a good distance and close enough for my parents to get up there. There is a lot of stability. Even if coach Diaz left, the defensive is going to stay the same. It's Penn State so I'm not really worried about that. I think coach Franklin is going to be there for a while. It just felt right up there.

"I'm going to try to help out on the recruiting trail," Speca said. "Quinton Martin as literally been my best friend since the 5th grade. I'm going to try hard to get him. Pete Gonzalez, who goes to school with me, Cam Lindsey, and Tiqwai Hayes are some of the guys I'm definitely going to focus on."

Speca projects as an inside linebacker and he already has great size. He’s a big hitter who quickly diagnoses plays and is able to close fast with the ball carrier. There’s still room to fill out Speca's frame so he could become a real thumper on the interior of the defense, but he’s already fairly physically mature so keeping his speed will be very important as his development continues.

Penn State identified Speca early in the process and made sure that he didn’t get out of their reach. Many of the current Penn State players and recent signees are close with Speca so making him feel comfortable in that environment and on that team wasn’t difficult. Look for Speca to continue to recruit for Penn State. As this process continues he could give Penn State an inside track for many of their top targets in the talented western Pennsylvania area.

Speca is Penn State's second commitment in their 2024 class. He joins Rivals250 offensive lineman Cooper Cousins only 2024 commits, both of whom are from Pennsylvania.