Penn State's recruiting class has a hole in it. The Nittany Lions struck out in trying to land a top running back.

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But, as a whole, the class got fairly high grades.

Penn State's class of 21 players isn't as highly touted as last year, when scouting services put the Nittany Lions' group in the top 10 in the country. But this class still is ranked in the top 25, even without a running back.

Super Prep ranks Penn State's class No. 16, scout.com No. 18, Prep Star No. 17 and rivals.com No. 23.

"A lot depended on whether they got Broderick Green. They would be ranked higher with him," said Allen Wallace, national recruiting analyst for scout.com and publisher of Super Prep magazine.

Green announced at a news conference yesterday he was signing with Southern California. Penn State and Ohio State were his other two finalists.

Penn State also had recruited running back LeSean McCoy, who signed with Pitt. A running back had been considered a position of need in this class.

"But I think they have some superior offensive line help in this class and also some good linebackers and defensive backs," Wallace said.

If there is any credit to be given for this class, much of it should go to the assistant coaches. Joe Paterno goes on the road to recruit less than ever. He visited only a handful of high schools this recruiting season. One of the main reasons was the leg and knee injury he suffered on the sideline in the Wisconsin game.

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"I don't care who the figure head is at a school, you're not going to get it done unless your assistant coaches are getting the job done, too," Wallace said. "That said, I think Joe Paterno is still a real attractive force for kids. I think kids think that even when he's gone, he'll still be there in some way. The kids think that whoever takes over will kind of be an extension for him."

Unlike almost every other coach in the country, Paterno doesn't talk about his recruiting classes on signing day. But others do.

"I think it's a very good class when you consider a lot of the areas they recruit were down in talent this year," Lemming said. "The entire Midwest was a little down. All of Pennsylvania was down. They did so well in Maryland last year, but it was not that good in Maryland this year."

Penn State landed four players from the WPIAL -- Rochester receiver Derek Moye, Central Catholic offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, Greensburg Central Catholic receiver-defensive back Nick Sukay and Gateway receiver-tight end Jon Ditto.

Moye is one of the most versatile players in the class, as he played quarterback, receiver and defensive back at Rochester. He was recruited to play receiver.

Wisniewski was a top offensive lineman recruit.

"I think it's a good class, but not a great class," said Bobby Burton of Rivals.com.

Defensive lineman Devon Still of Wilmington, Del., defensive back Chaz Powell of Susquehannock, Pa., linebacker Nate Stupar of State College, linebacker Chris Colasanti of Lakeville, Mich., and offensive lineman J.B. Walton of New Berlin, N.Y., are some of the other top players.

"They don't have as many impact players as they did the past two years, but overall it's very good," Lemming said.

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Penn State recruits (21)
Drew Astorino, Edinboro, Pa. (RB-WR-DB, 5-11, 175); Quinn Barham, Durham, N.C. (OL, 6-3, 272); Ryan Breen, Clarkston, Mich. (K, 6-2, 205); Chris Colasanti, Lakeville, Mich. (LB, 6-2, 210); Andrew Dailey, Massillon, Ohio (LB, 6-2, 210); Jon Ditto, Gateway (WR-TE, 6-4, 221); Stephfon Green, Bronx, N.Y. (DB, 5-10, 184); Kevin Latham, Greensboro, N.C. (DE, 6-3, 233); Josh Marks, Southern Columbia (OL-DL, 6-5, 305); Nerraw McCormick, Garden City, N.Y. (OL, 6-5, 290); Derek Moye, Rochester (WR-RB-DB, 6-5, 190); Chimaeze Okoli, Virginia Beach, Va. (DT, 6-5, 275); Ako Poti, San Francisco (OL, 6-5, 300); Chaz Powell, Susquehannock, Pa. (RB-DB, 6-1, 191); Devon Still, Wilmington, Del. (DE, 6-6, 251); Nate Stupar, State College (DE-LB, 6-2, 230); Joe Suhey, Wilmette, Ill. (WR, 6-2, 190); Nick Sukay, Greensburg Central Catholic (WR-DB, 6-2, 200); Andrew Szczerba, Wilmington, Del. (TE, 6-6, 245); J.B. Walton, New Berlin, N.Y. (OL, 6-3, 282); Stefen Wisniewski, Central Catholic (OL-DL, 6-3, 275).