Since James Franklin's arrival at Penn State, much of the recruiting talk has centered around what recruits he could get to come to Penn State. On Wednesday a significant recruit decommitted from the Nittany Lions.
Thomas Holley, a four-star recruit at defensive tackle, switched his commitment from Penn State to Florida. He verbally pledged to Penn State in December, but the change of coaching staff in State College made him change his mind.
"I committed to Penn State because of the relationship I had with Bill O'Brien and Larry Johnson," Holley told InsidetheGators.com. "It was difficult to think about building a new relationship with the new staff in just a couple weeks compared to the relationship I have built in over a year with Florida."
Holley, a Brooklyn, NY native, is rated as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 63 prospect in the country. He's listed at 6-3 and 299 pounds.
O'Brien left Penn State for the Houston Texans, and Johnson, the long-time Penn State assistant, announced his departure from the school Tuesday.
"I am done with recruiting I am shutting it down," Holley told Rivals. "Notre Dame is supposed to come by tomorrow, but I am going to Florida. I love those coaches and what Will Muschamp is trying to build."
Muschamp, Florida's coach, is on the hot seat after a 4-8 season that included a loss to Georgia Southern at home. But Holley's commitment boosts an already solid recruiting class. Florida's recruiting class is ranked No. 7 in the country by Rivals, though that's fifth in the SEC.
One of Holley's fellow Florida commitments is Gerald Willis III. Willis is brothers with Landon Collins, who picked Alabama over LSU at the Under Armour All-American game in 2011 much to their mother's chagrin. Willis didn't make his mom happy again two weeks ago when he chose the Gators over LSU.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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