Football recruiting: Intriguing new offer for Penn State, QB Barry Brunetti

Will Barry Brunetti wear black shoes in college?

Jay Paterno offered Memphis University School dual-threat quarterback Barry Brunetti today. Brunetti is given four stars by Rivals and three stars by Scout, with only his height (listed at 6-0) keeping him from being rated among the elite signal-callers for the Class of 2010. Scouts, Inc. offers this evaluation...

There is a lot to like about Barry Brunetti both as a passer and as an athlete. He isn't very tall, but he is polished, has a very live arm and is extremely athletic with his legs. He is the ideal fit for the spread offense and shotgun zone-read...He has a quick delivery and is able to fit the ball into a lot of tight spots. Gets rid of the ball on time and throws to a catchable spot. Zip on the ball is excellent...

He's also a tough, competitive quarterback that players respond to...At times will try and do too much, but his mentality is to keep the play alive. Overall, Brunetti is one of the better QB prospects in this class and if he were taller would be receiving a lot more attention than he is now, but his recruitment is likely to heat up quickly. He has a lot of upside because of his athleticism, strong arm, and toughness.

Last month Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on the growing interest in Brunetti...

Memphis University School football coach Bobby Alston knew he had a talented quarterback after Barry Brunetti starred in last summer's National Select 7-on-7 Championships in Alabama.

But when Duke University head coach David Cutcliffe was the first to offer Brunetti a college scholarship in January, let's just say Alston was even more convinced of the 6-2, 208-pound Brunetti's potential as he approaches his senior year.

"I thought he was good," Alston said. "But, more importantly, I thought when coach Cutcliffe gave him his first offer, well, there's a guy who's coached both Mannings (Peyton and Eli). He knows a whole lot more about it than I do so I'll take his word for it."

The coach also praised Brunetti's character...

"Academically, we don't cut anybody any slack, and he's come 180 degrees academically and with his interest in doing well in school.

"He's got a lot of friends that don't go to school here and don't understand what he has to do, and I'm sure they make it tough on him with--'Well, why don't you just come hang?'--or whatever.

"But he can't do that and survive out here."

As for Brunetti, he was oh-so-happy after the visit from JayPa, telling Rival's Jamie Newberg...

"Penn State came by the school today and they offered me. It was Jay Paterno. First he met with my coach for a while and then said an offer would be sent to me the minute he got back to his office.

"I love this one and I never expected it. This is a big one for me. I will have the opportunity to play for the legend Joe Paterno. I know all about him and Penn State football. I love the tradition. They have a diversified offense and I think I fit in perfectly. I just love the way they use their quarterbacks."

Subscribe to Penn State Clips via Email

Follow Penn State Clips on Twitter