Meet one of Penn State's top recruits, Judge Culpepper - and his high-achieving family

York Daily Record

Incoming freshman Judge Culpepper, left, projects as a defensive tackle at Penn State. His father, Brad, who was an NFL lineman for nine seasons, says Judge is bigger, faster and more athletic than he was entering college.

The curious life of new Nittany Lion Judge Culpepper begins like this:

He grew into an Eagle Scout who plays four musical instruments and travels the country with his TV reality show parents.

He's a straight-A's student — for all but one blip in his entire academic career.

He's got an older brother named after a coach and a sister named after the most famous Bond girl.

He also happens to be one of the nation's most promising defensive linemen, all the way from Tampa, Florida.

He may be the most intriguing member of Penn State's Top Five recruiting class that expects to be finalized Wednesday — National Signing Day — with a couple of potential additions.

This best recruiting effort yet by James Franklin's staff includes rare-prospect pulls from Texas and Florida. Though most of the class made their verbal commitments binding back in December, during the initial early signing period, this is the week when the overall national grades will be given.

Penn State incoming freshman Judge Culpepper (far left) has grown up in what he describes as the most competitive and yet supportive family. His father, Brad, (middle) is a former NFL lineman. Both he and his mother, Monica, (far right) were finalists on the TV reality show "Survivor."

It also is another reminder of just how much recruiting progress Franklin has made since his first effort four years ago.

More:Penn State lands ace Florida recruiter as new running backs coach

More:Tyrell Chavis inspires Penn State teammates beyond the Fiesta Bowl field

Culpepper, for instance, received scholarship offers from Alabama and Georgia and all over Florida. His father was an All-American lineman for the Florida Gators and starred in the NFL for nine seasons. His grandfather played for the Gators.

But Judge looked around and picked Penn State.

"He's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime kid," said Robert Weiner, his coach at Plant High. "He's a very intricate blend of amazing talents.

"Despite the fact that he's a terror on the field, he might be one the of the nicest human beings off the field."

Culpepper doesn't just play an instrument; he's learned the piano, contra alto clarinet, guitar and the electric bass.

He's not just a standout student; the story goes that a first-term B in the fourth grade is his only academic "blemish."

And when he's not building into a 6-foot-4, 275-pound linemen, he's touring the nation's national parks with his family, fishing, camping, skiing, snowboarding and wakeboarding. His older brother is a quarterback at Syracuse University and his younger sister is a high school sophomore basketball star.

Their father, Brad Culpepper, became entrenched on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line next to Warren Sapp during his nine seasons in the NFL. Since retiring, he and wife, Monica, have gained a niche fame from starring in multiple episodes of the "Survivor" TV show.

Coach James Franklin made a rare recruiting pull by getting highly-rated defensive lineman Judge Culpepper, middle right, to be a part of his 2018 recruiting class. Culpepper is a Tampa, Florida native and had offers from SEC powers such as Alabama, Georgia and his father's alma mater, Florida.

Each finished second during different seasons. Brad, 48, even tied a Survivor record with five individual immunity victories during his run last year.

He also is a successful personal injury lawyer in Tampa.

"My Dad, he's a real easy shoulder to lean on as far as football goes and recruiting goes. He was in the locker room for 20 years of his life," Judge Culpepper said. "He loves to see me play. He's like Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid, that kind of guy you learn from."

Judge is articulate, easy-going and a big book reader, said Weiner, who taught his social media and sports marketing classes.

He's the product of a well-rounded, competitive, free-spirited upbringing. His brother, Rex, is named for one of his father's favorite coaches. His sister is named for the legendary James Bond femme fatale, Honor Blackman.

Judge? Just a variation on a family name, but Brad did joke about using it to get better restaurant reservations when his kids were young.

This is the family that spends the day together motor biking, four-wheeling and even scalloping.

But how did Penn State land him?

Though Judge Culpepper expects to play on the defensive line at Penn State, he starred all over the field in high school in Florida. Especially as a pass-catching tight end.

Brad Culpepper said he wanted his kids to spread their wings, and what better place than somewhere in the Northeast, which the family has grown to love.

No matter that Judge's main recruiting visit last spring began with a canceled flight from Florida and a midnight van ride from Washington, D.C. to State College.

Franklin and his coaching staff, with an assist from the woods and the mountains, won over the family.

"It kind of blew me away," Judge said. "The whole atmosphere up there is different than the South."

When asked about what he may study at Penn State, he started talking about finance.

Then he stopped himself. This is the football star who meticulously worked attaining merit badges for his Eagle Scout honors.

"He's just going to be Judge," his high school coach said. "He really doesn’t care what looks cool."

This is a Culpepper, after all.

"Or I could totally mix it up and go for something like culinary arts. You never know," he said with a laugh. "I do love to cook."