Schutt still committed to PSU

As scandal whips around Penn State University’s football program, Glenbard West senior defensive lineman Tommy Schutt’s commitment to the Nittany Lions remains unchanged, according to Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet.

“His official stance is that he’s a solid commit to Penn State,” Hetlet said Wednesday evening, before news broke that coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier had been fired by the board of trustees. “Nothing has changed for him at this point.”

The “at this point” part of that comment is key as senior high school players who have verbally committed to Penn State, like Schutt, wait for a final resolution to the events engulfing the State College community and the university.

Wednesday’s news only adds to the thought process for recruits weighing the decision to stay committed or seek scholarship options elsewhere.

While published reports say some Penn State recruits are looking at other schools, Schutt’s high school coach says his three-year varsity starter and U.S. Army All-America has made no decision about reopening his recruiting.

Schutt, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound tackle rated by Rivals.com as the state’s top senior recruit, drew scholarship offers from more than 20 top college programs before committing to Penn State in early August.

“He’s not doing anything or making any decisions right now,” said Hetlet, who spoke with Schutt about the situation on Tuesday. “He’s waiting to see what happens.”