Penn State Football: Florida DB Hargreaves Another Big Target For Nittany Lions

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien isn’t holding back on the recruiting trail.

He is targeting highly-touted defensive back Vernon Hargreaves from Tampa, Fla. 

Hargreaves, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound defensive back from Wharton High School, picked up a scholarship offer this past Monday from the Penn State coaching staff.

And he was happy with what Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Ted Roof had to say in return.

“I’ve really liked what he told me about the program and where I would fit in,” said Hargreaves, who already holds invitations to next year’s US Army All-American Bowl and Under Armour All-American Game.

“I’d like to take a visit up to Penn State in the near future, but I have a lot going on, so I’m still figuring it all out.”

In addition to Penn State, Hargreaves holds scholarship offers from several other major college programs, including Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, South Florida, Miami and Michigan. He is rated a five-star recruit by Rivals.com and the best defensive back in the class of 2013. 

He had two interceptions on defense and scored 11 touchdowns on offense this past season.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle for O’Brien’s staff will be competing with Hargreaves’ father, also named Vernon, who serves as special teams coordinator and the defensive ends coach with South Florida.

Hargreaves is part of a growing list of defensive back prospects with an offer to join the Nittany Lions in 2013. Others include Darian Hicks (6-0, 175 pounds) from Solon High School in Solon, Ohio; Devin Butler (6-1, 170) from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., Reon Dawson (6-2, 175) from Trotwood-Madison High School in Trotwood, Ohio, and Kirk Garner (5-10,165) from Our Lady Good Counsel in Olney, Md.

Ross Douglas, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound cornerback from Avon, Ohio, is one of five players who already have verbally committed to play for Penn State for next season. He is rated a four-year recruit.