[Stevewalt]

Seems JoePa knows his way around Lynchburg.

From Bluewhite Illustrated:

Early on it seems that Penn State is trying to recruit tall offensive tackle prospects up and down the East Coast from Virginia through New England.

Another big preseason top 250 offensive lineman in Virginia that it appears Penn State is actively recruiting is Bobby Massie (6-6 ½, 335) from Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy.

This is one school where Penn State has a special connection with the Academy's head football coach and athletic director, Frank Rocco Jr.

Rocco is a former Penn State quarterback and Rocco's father, Frank Rocco Sr., was an administrator in Penn State's athletic department for close to 15 years in the 1980s and 1990s.

"Penn State actually got a real good look at Bobby this past summer when I took Bobby and several of his teammates up to Penn State's summer football camp." Rocco said, "He really enjoyed the experience. He liked the campus and was impressed with what the school had to offer."

Massie has been at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Va. the past two years after transferring to the private high school from Appomattox County High School in Appomattox, Va.

"Penn State and every school that's seen him play considers Bobby to be a can't-miss prospect." Rocco said, "He's 6-6 ½ and he weighs close to 335 pounds, but he's an amazing athlete for a player his size.

"He has 5.1 or 5.2 40-yard speed, and he is without question one of the best football players I've coached during my three years here at Liberty Christian Academy."

In recent weeks Virginia, Va. Tech, North Carolina and NC State have been to Liberty Christian Academy to check out Massie, but he still at this point hasn't yet received his first written scholarship offer.

"Penn State and the other schools are playing it cautious with Bobby right now." Rocco said, "Right now he's borderline academically.

"Since he's been here at Liberty Christian Academy, Bobby's been a solid 'A' and 'B' student, but he has some academic work to catch up on.

"When he arrived here he was a 'D' student, but he's worked extremely hard and we're all convinced here that if he continues to work hard in the classroom he'll be academically eligible by the time he begins his senior season.

"I've never had a kid work harder for me both on the field and in the classroom."

If Massie continues to improve academically, Rocco is certain his recruitment will dramatically pick up this spring and summer.

"Several weeks ago Bobby traveled down to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a "Junior Day" at one of their basketball games." Rocco said, "All the other schools have told us they'll closely monitor Bobby's academic progress this spring and if he stays on course they'll be ready to offer him a scholarship."

Both Bill Kenney and Larry Johnson from Penn State's staff are monitoring Massie's academic progress for the Nittany Lions.

"Everyone, including Penn State, has told us that Bobby is a can't-miss prospect." Rocco said, "All the schools have told us that one day Bobby will be playing in the NFL."

[givemethemic]

Bobby is gonna be very good...Rocco has made him so much better these last two seasons.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I Coached at LCA this past year, and i plan on being there next year... Bobby is a good player on this level and i think he will be a great player on the next level... Just gotta get him a little more mean... but im trying

[LU'sbestmanager]

does liberty have any shot at getting him? i know his coach's brother is the coach here and it's close to home, but he sounds like he's big time.

[SuperJon]

Why is he listed here as a "prospect?" It's highly unlikely he'll ever play for us.

[LU'sbestmanager]

that's what i wanted to know?? i thought we only put guys that might have interest in LU

[PeterParker]

That's an interesting conundrum that presents itself with having a feeder school...it's made even more interesting when the coaches of the two institutions are family members. You have to wonder if over a Sunday Barbecue Rocco (LU) lobbies Rocco (LCA) to help him out with the marquee recruits that come out of LCA. When they go elsewhere, it's kinda like having an older brother give away his car to someone else just as you are in the market for one...awkkwwaaardd.

[SuperJon]

Why is it akward? I'm sure Coach Rocco would love them at LU, but I'm sure the man knows that being at Penn State or something like that is the dream of a lot of players.

Some kids just want to get away from home.

[Libertine]

It's not that awkward, really. Frank's a high school coach and Danny's a college coach. LU has good standing with a lot of high school coaches -- some, obviously, more than others -- and some coaches do try to "steer" their kids to LU more than others. Ultimately, however, the kid has to make the decision for themselves and, having both been there, both Rocco's understand the appeal and benefits of a kid getting an FBS opportunity.

Of course as we've seen, just because an LCA kid does go FBS, it doesn't necessarily mean they stay there.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I dont know anything about Liberty Football and what they are doing in the office... but Bobby Is def. achievable for LU Football

[Sly Fox]

If you read that story there is big reasons I listed him as a prospect when I retitled the thread. And he can be a prospect even if he's not looking strongly at us right now.

[PeterParker]

Why is it akward? I'm sure Coach Rocco would love them at LU, but I'm sure the man knows that being at Penn State or something like that is the dream of a lot of players.

Some kids just want to get away from home.

It's not that awkward, really. Frank's a high school coach and Danny's a college coach. LU has good standing with a lot of high school coaches -- some, obviously, more than others -- and some coaches do try to "steer" their kids to LU more than others. Ultimately, however, the kid has to make the decision for themselves and, having both been there, both Rocco's understand the appeal and benefits of a kid getting an FBS opportunity.

Guys, the tone was tongue-in-cheek about the cross-over of their relational positions and the sibling angle...hence, the bobbing smiley face and the long spelled out "awkward" for effect.

Obviously, I am sure that the one brother would love to help the other brother build his program by feeding him highly talented given that it is the best fit/opportunity for that particular player. It was just a funny image to me, to think of one bro going on an official "recruiting visits" to his brother and his players, that's all. Kind of like when a student's dad is also his teacher or principal and the relationship dynamic shifts for the time they are engaging in the professional/all-business environment.

[Libertine]

Gotcha, Pete. For whatever reason, my page didn't load the smiley. You're right, it is funny. It was even funnier a year ago when Danny was recruiting Frank's son. Frank said it was kind of weird to basically have friends and family over for dinner and then have them pitching the LU program to him.

BTW, Frank's other son is looking like he's going to be scary-good in about 2 years.

[SuperJon]

Somebody draw me a family tree, I'm confused. Too many names.

[PAmedic]

Frank + Danny = brothers

Frank's kids + Danny = Uncle Danny/nephews

[SuperJon]

There were Jr's and Sr's in there somewhere.

[jmdickens]

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=450&p=11&p ... s%3D429783


I don't know if you guys need the password....but here is a recent interview at the Pitt combine

If you cant see it, the kid really built up LCA and the players and asserted they dont recognized like they should

[Sly Fox]

Yeah, that is premium content and you need a password.

[jmdickens]

I have one, but I think it might be wrong for me to give it out

[Sly Fox]

You could probably excerpt a few sentences which would help Scout by teasing more people to pony up for the subscription.

[prototype]

Why is he listed here as a "prospect?" It's highly unlikely he'll ever play for us.

Tell that to Jennings, 2 lineman fron UVA, Hicks...need I go on??

[SuperJon]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever read.


None of them were ever listed as prospects by anyone at LU out of high school. Jennings wouldn't be here if his dad's health wasn't bad. The others wouldn't be here if they got the playing time they wanted at other schools. They were never "LU Prospects." They were guys who needed a fall back. That's what all transfers are. We love them, they help us, and we're glad they're here, but to call them a prospect is foolish and idiotic.

[prototype]

SJ - You come across on this board thst you are all knowing. Jennings considered LU before he went to Pitt. Many high level athletes that could have chosen bigger schools have chosen LU because it's a good school, with a different purpose.

I'm just saying that a prospect has more reason to choose Liberty than ever before. We have a great team to play on and have shown that players from LU have had the opportunity to play pro ball.

[givemethemic]

Odds are Bobby will be playing FBS football...He has way to much upside and there will be several schools that will come calling if he can keep his grades up... I wish he would play here but I just can't see it..

[flameshaw]

Odds are Bobby will be playing FBS football...He has way to much upside and there will be several schools that will come calling if he can keep his grades up... I wish he would play here but I just can't see it..

Tell him I know some guys who can re-arrange his kness for him if he doesn't play at LU.