Celinas Lynn affirms Penn State pledge

Celina safety D'Anton Lynn had been reconsidering his verbal commitment to play college football at Penn State, but has reaffirmed his intentions of playing for Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions, according to reports.

The Pocono (Pa.) Record reported Sunday night that Lynn, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior, is sticking to his original decision to play football at Penn State. Lynn also told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that Penn State is "still my top school right now.'' Lynn, the Herald Democrat's All-Texomaland Class 3A-4A Most Valuable Player for 2007, had committed to Penn State in September. However, he had second thoughts after his recruiter, Penn State defensive secondary coach Brian Norwood, left Happy Valley in December to become defensive coordinator for newly-hired head coach Art Briles at Baylor.

Lynn had widened his choices to include Baylor, Southern California and Oklahoma, but told the Avalanche-Journal that Texas Tech is still in the running.

Lynn made a visit to Tech a week ago with his father Anthony, a former Red Raider and NFL player and a former Dallas Cowboys assistant coach.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram had reported Thursday on its recruiting blog that Lynn had committed to USC, but Lynn said Saturday he would make no announcement before Sunday.

Lynn had seven interceptions last season as Celina finished 16-0 and won its record-setting eighth state title. He was also a game-changer on special teams, with a kickoff return and a punt return for a touchdown each.

Lynn played almost the entire championship game with a fractured left shoulder blade and torn muscle as Celina beat China Spring, 21-14, in the Class 3A Division II state final at Texas Stadium on Dec. 22. The injury did not require surgery.

Verbal commitments are non-binding. The first day athletes can sign letters of intent is Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Celina teammate Troy Franklin, a defensive tackle, verbally committed to North Texas before last season began.

Thanks to Herald Democrat Editor Bill Spinks for contributing this article to THEOLDCOACH.COM.