Skyler Mornhinweg won't comment on Penn State commitment

THE PHONE CALLS and text messages have been pouring in to Skyler Mornhinweg since news of Joe Paterno's ouster broke Wednesday.

Mornhinweg, the St. Joseph's Prep quarterback, is among the 16 high school seniors who have given verbal commitments to Penn State. Players cannot sign binding letters of intent until February.

Through his mother, Lindsay, Skyler had no comment on the current situation.

His father, Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, said he would have no comment on his son's future.

"My son has advised me that he'd rather I have no comment on the situation," Marty said. "And I'm sure he'll come out and speak one of these days and I think it will be quite a while. So we'll see."

Mornhinweg also had no comment on rumors that he could be a candidate for the Penn State coaching position.

"There's some things going on [up there] that are more important than what we're talking about here," he said.

This season, Skyler earned coaches' MVP honors in the Catholic League's AAAA division. With a Thanksgiving game against Malvern Prep remaining, he has passed for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding five more scores (and 681 yards) on rushes. He also starts at safety.

Last month, Skyler said he is in regular contact with two Penn State assistants, Ron Vanderlinden and Jay Paterno.

Interim coach Tom Bradley said he planned to address potential recruits and their families last night after talking with the families of current players.

Bradley already has spoken with a number of players who have yet to make a commitment and are considering Penn State.

"I definitely think it has a negative impact," a recruiting expert for a major website said. "Recruiting is built on relationships, and all those kids have relationships with the coaches who were recruiting them for Penn State.''

Joey O'Connor, an offensive tackle from Windsor, Colo., yesterday became the first Penn State recruit to decommit, according to reports.