Arcidiacono, a 6-foot-4, 289-pound tackle, will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. at the Prep, and the Nittany Lions and Florida are the finalists. Even though the Gators were making a last-gasp attempt, Prep coach Gil Brooks was predicting that Penn State would be the winner.

"I believe that there are two factors," Brooks said yesterday. Arcidiacono has "had a life-long affinity for Penn State and he comes from a big family, and I think he'd like to remain closer to home."

Arcidiacono attended both teams' spring scrimmages. He has been recruited by Lions assistant Ron Vanderlinden and Steve Addazio, Florida's offensive line coach.

According to Brooks, Addazio was meeting with Arcidiacono yesterday at the school's weight room. It may not be enough to sway the all-Catholic League player.

Even though Penn State's Joe Paterno is in the last year of his contract with no assurance that he will coach beyond 2009, the 81-year-old icon has had an impact on Arcidiacono, Brooks said.

"I think Coach Paterno would be a big factor," he said.

Penn State received its second commitment for 2009 when Malcolm Willis, a 6-foot, 210-pound safety from Indian Head, Md., committed on Monday. Ty Howie, a 6-2, 290-pound offensive lineman from Bunn, N.C., is the Lions' only other recruit.

Still suspended. Last week there was confusion over whether five suspended Penn State players had been welcomed back to the team.

Defensive back Knowledge Timmons told the York Daily Record that Paterno had told him, along with defensive tackle Chris Baker, linebacker Navorro Bowman, and tight end Andrew Quarless, that their indefinite suspensions were over. Timmons did not include suspended defensive tackle Phil Taylor in the group.

However, team spokesman Guido D'Elia said that the players' status did not change and that they had to fulfill certain obligations before they were permitted back.

Yesterday, Jeff Nelson, assistant athletic director for communications, released a clarification.

"The five players that did not participate in spring practice are now permitted to work out with the team in the weight room and training facilities," the statement read. "Their playing status remains unchanged and will be reviewed after each of them resolves certain academic and/or legal issues."

Baker, Bowman and Taylor are awaiting trials for their alleged roles in an October on-campus fight. Timmons was cited for his behavior after the fight. Quarless was charged in March with driving while under the influence.

Captains. Penn State named its senior captains yesterday.

Wide receiver Derrick Williams and safety Anthony Scirrotto, of West Deptford, join center A.Q. Shipley, defensive end Josh Gaines, and linebacker Sean Lee as leaders for the 2008 season.

Lee, who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month, will be an honorary captain.