Penn State adds in-state defensive back as preferred walk-on

Penn State’s Class of 2021 got a late addition with a commitment from defensive back Stephen Ripka.

Penn State hs apparently picked up a late addition to the Class of 2021. Stephen Ripka (Spring Mills, PA / Penn Valley Area High School) announced on Twitter on Tuesday he has committed to the Nittany Lions. He will be a preferred walk-on.

“Excited to announce my commitment to Penn State! Thank you to all family, friends, and coaches who helped me reach this point,” Ripka said on his Twitter account Tuesday evening. “Time to get to work!”

Ripka’s announcement is certainly one that will fly under the radar given other schools he had been visiting around Pennsylvania have included Bucknell, Millersville, and Shippensburg, just to name a few.

Ripka was named Class 2A second-team All-State by PA Football News for his senior season as an offensive athlete.

Where Ripka will fit into the equation with the defensive backs remains to be seen. As documented this spring, the secondary is already in solid shape and is actually a little crowded to the point where Marquis Wilson is getting looks on offense.

But the coaching staff is always on the lookout for some hidden gems within the state. Perhaps this is one of those diamonds in the rough.

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