Pennsbury star decommits from Penn State, chooses Wisconsin
Pennsbury High school offennsive tackle J.J. Denman, a four-star recruit who committed to Penn State in May, has changed his mind and now says he will attend Wisconsin, according to multiple reports.
Pennsbury High School offensive tackle J.J. Denman, who had made an oral commitment last May to attend Penn State, has decommitted and now is planning to attend Wisconsin, multiple sources reported Sunday night.
The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Denman, a four-star recruit who is ranked No. 117 overall and 18th among offensive tackles in the Class of 2012 by Scout.com, visited Wisconsin over the weekend and later announced his decision.
"Personally it's the best fit for athetics, academics, and socially," Denman told 247sports.com. "I also want to be the best player I can be."
Denman, an all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection last season, visited eight schools, including Penn State and Wisconsin, during his junior year of high school and decided May 18 on the Nittany Lions. At the time, he said he "looked at the big picture" in choosing Penn State. He reportedly had received more than 25 offers up until that time.
Denman's change of heart reduced the number of commitments for Penn State's Class of 2012 to 16. The web site Badger Nation said he is Wisconsin's 11th commitment for 2012, and ESPN.com reported he is the Badgers' highest-rated recruit to come on board.
"As the Badgers begin to get ready for a big prime-time conference clash they can celebrate a little victory on the recruiting trail," said ESPN.com recruiting analyst Craig Haubert. "Wisconsin was able to lure away a prospect from a (Big Ten) Leaders Division foe in Denman."
--Joe Juliano