It's not unusual for high school players to change their long-stated college destinations in the days and hours before national signing day. Still, one Monday departure from Penn State's forthcoming recruiting class will sting, both because of its in-state significance and the player many feel this high school star could become.
As reported by the Philadelphia Daily News, after months of officially remaining loyal to his pledge to then Penn State coach Joe Paterno, Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's Prep quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg changed his commitment to the University of Florida. The son of Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, Skyler passed for an incredible 4,859 yards and 52 touchdowns in a three-year career as St. Joe's starting quarterback, marks which firmly plant him on the list Philadelphia all-time city records.
As one might expect of the son of a longtime NFL coordinator, Mornhinweg also excelled with his on-field decision making, offering encouraging signs that he would excel at the next level.
In fact, it is Mornhinweg's confidence in a quarterback focused offense that may have sealed the Pennsylvania teen's decision to head south to Florida.
"I also love the offense the head coach [Will Muschamp] is installing with the help of coach Pease [Brent, quarterbacks and offensive coordinator]," Skyler Mornhinweg told the Daily News. "It puts the focus on the quarterback and, as long as I do the work, I feel it'll be a great fit for me."
In making his departure from Penn State's recruiting class, Mornhinweg noted his confidence that the program would return to prominence. That's a stark difference from the high schooler's noted silence -- as well as that of his father -- in the first hours after the Sandusky scandal broke open.
Months later, the younger Mornhinweg insisted it was hard for him to walk away from the chance to play in Happy Valley, but said the possibility of a prominent SEC future was too much for him to pass up.
"It was a hard choice to look away from Penn State. I know they're going to have success," Mornhinwg told the Daily News' Ted Silary. "I just feel the best move for me is to go to Florida."
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