Penn State hits recruiting gold yet again with Connecticut safety Tyler Rudolph

The Nittany Lions have landed two of the top defensive backs on the East Coast a day apart.

Marquis Wilson and Tyler Rudolph also happen to be the top talent in Connecticut. And they're good friends.

While Wilson announced his decision Sunday evening, Rudolph confirmed his expected strong interest in Penn State with a verbal commitment Monday night during a ceremony at his Waterbury, Connecticut high school.

Wilson is considered a four-star cornerback or overall "athlete." Rudolph is a  consensus four-star safety.

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Rudolph (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) picked from scholarship offers that included Clemson, Ohio State, Florida, and Michigan.

His is the fifth highly-rated recruit to commit to head coach James Franklin since Thursday night, and the third defensive back. Junior college safety Jaquan Brisker from Lackawanna Community College in Scranton got this recruiting surge started last week.

And just before Rudolph made it official, five-star linebacker Brandon Smith from Mineral, Virginia pledged to Penn State Monday. He is the nation's No. 2-rated linebacker and the No. 30 player overall, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Rudolph is the eighth member of this 2019 recruiting class that includes Virginia's Devyn Ford (nation's No. 1 running back by Rivals.com) and New Jersey four-star offensive lineman Caedan Wallace.

New Jersey three-star quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson and State College three-star defensive back Keaton Ellis round out the class so far.

Penn State has rocketed up the national recruiting rankings, now at No. 12 by Rivals.com and No. 14 by the 247Sports.

And there are other signs for more additions in the coming weeks as these Penn State-heavy recruits are scheduled to make their announcements: Four-star Virginia defensive back Cam'Ron Kelly (June 8), four-star Virginia defensive end Hakeem Beamon (June 16) and Delaware guard Saleem Wormley (July 23).