Despite some disappointing recruiting results, the Nittany Lions still could have a legitimate shot to land Terrelle Pryor, from Jeannette High School in Western Pennsylvania. The top-rated quarterback in the nation decided not to make a decision regarding his collegiate future yesterday.

"I had my mind set [Tuesday] night on where I was going, but then I was thinking twice about it because Penn State has been hitting hard and I just don't think I gave them a fair chance," Pryor, who threw for 1,837 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 858 and 12 scores as a senior, said in a news conference at his school.

"I'm really looking forward to taking a visit there."

A visit from Pryor, who also is heavily considering Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon, might mean a lot or could just be for kicks for the Parade Player of the Year, who has yet to make an official visit to Penn State.

After all, running back Michael Shaw, from Madison High in Ohio, who had verbally committed to Penn State, made several trips to Penn State's campus and reportedly loved the atmosphere, but surprisingly signed with Michigan and new coach Rich Rodriguez.

"Penn State was my dream school, it really was," Shaw told Rivals.com. "But when that dream became a reality, I found that Michigan was actually the best place for me and I actually decided that right there in [his high school coach's] office."

Shaw, who will join his teammates Brandon Moore, a tight end, and Roy Roundtree, a wide receiver who had verbally committed to Purdue, reportedly was expected to make his announcement for Penn State yesterday morning but abruptly changed his mind.

"It was the longest 2 hours of my life today, but in the end I feel God has a plan for me,'' Shaw said in Rivals.com. "I looked at a picture of me, Brandon and Roy and that was my sign from Him."

Several national recruiting experts called this one of the most disappointing classes in Penn State history after the Nittany Lions failed to land multiple players to fill their skill positions on offense.

Coach Joe Paterno was not made available to the media yesterday to discuss his recruiting class. According to Rivals.com, Penn State's class ranks sixth in the Big Ten.

Penn State, which has 18 returning starters, got signed letters of intent from 14 players.

The Nittany Lions also lost out on Deion Walker, a highly touted wide receiver from Virginia who followed through on his commitment to Notre Dame.

Also, offensive tackle Corey Lewis, from East Stroudsburg South High, signed with Illinois rather than Penn State after initially verbally committing to Virginia.

"I would say they fell short on what they set out to accomplish," said Sean Fitz, of Blue White Illustrated.

"Losing Michael Shaw really hurt because they needed two running backs to establish depth in the backfield. You look at the strength of the class, which is the linebackers, an obvious tradition at Penn State, but at the same time you already have some good linebackers here. They needed some playmakers on offense and they just don't have that in this class."

Penn State's top recruit was Brandon Beachum, a 5-11, 216- pound running back from Cardinal Mooney in Youngstown, Ohio. Beachum, who rushed for 1,800 yards as a senior, is able to play linebacker and running back but likely will be used to fit into the Nittany Lions' single-back formation with hopes of cracking the depth chart as early as spring practice.

Receiver A.J. Price, from South Lakes High in Reston, Va., who had 32 catches for 816 yards (25.5-yard average) and 11 touchdowns in 2007, likely will redshirt next year because the Nittany Lions have a strong receiving group returning, with Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams.

On the defensive side, Penn State graded fairly well, bringing in linebackers Mike Yancich (Trinity/Washington, Pa.), Mi-chael Zordich Jr. (Cardinal Mooney/Youngstown, Ohio) and Mi-chael Mauti (Mandeville, La.).

Pat Tholey, Big Ten editor for Rivals.com, said Mauti could surprise a lot of people.

"Not too many people knew what he could do against the kind of caliber talent at the U.S. Army All-Star Game, but he stood out like a typical Penn State linebacker who was in on every play and just loves to play the game," Tholey said of the Louisiana District 7 Class 5A defensive player of the year.

"He kind of reminds you of Dan Connor and Paul Posluszny when they were in high school."

For all the disappointment felt throughout Happy Valley, many believe there is hope for turning those frowns upside down.

No definite timetable has been set for Pryor's decision. For now, the general consensus seems to be that the Nittany Lions' recruiting class is slightly below average. But if they can somehow pry away Pryor, that grade will improve significantly, according to Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell.

"This was a small class that wasn't ranked too well in comparison to everyone else in the conference, but the fact that they got back in the Pryor race is big," Farrell said. "Pryor will determine ultimately whether this class is successful or not." *