Michigan Wolverines
Michigan missed out on a four-star recruit.
Jonathan Sutherland, from Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal Academy, made a verbal commitment to Big Ten rival Penn State on Sunday. The 6-foot, 165-pound safety had listed the Nittany Lions, the Wolverines, Boston College, Syracuse and Wisconsin as his finalists.
I'm proud to announce that I am committed to THE UNIVERSITY OF PENN STATE!!⚪️🔵 https://t.co/ni5AcBpLVr
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Jonathan★Sutherland (@jay_suth) July 24, 2016“It’s where I felt the most comfortable, and I believe I can reach my full potential there with the coaches and players,” Southerland told 247Sports.
247Sports had Sutherland ranked as the country’s No. 23 safety and the No. 10 recruit from the state of Virginia.
“Coach (James) Franklin and his coaching staff are amazing on and off the field,” Sutherland told the website. “I fit well in their secondary, and they see me playing over the top and down in the box.”
Sutherland last visited Penn State two weekends ago.
247Sports describes Sutherland as a physical player who can help against the run and will bring cover skills and added versatility to the Nittany Lions’ defensive backfield.
“It’s an absolute honor to be part of this program,” he told 247Sports.
The website said Sutherland was on the recruiting radar even before he was a freshman.
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