Oscar Smith senior Hailes commits to Penn State

Oscar Smith lineman Evan Hailes, one of the nation's top prospects in the Class of 2010, orally committed to Penn State.

Hailes, 6-foot-1 and 303 pounds, finished with 81 tackles last season, including 20 for a loss. He also had 11 sacks and three deflections in helping to lead the Tigers to the Group AAA Division 6 state championship last season.

Hailes, a two-time all-state and two-time All-Tidewater selection, said he chose the Nittany Lions over such schools as Tennessee, LSU and Virginia Tech because he liked what Penn State had to offer.

"The thing I liked most about them is that they emphasized academics more than football," said Hailes as he drove from State College on his way back to Chesapeake following his visit to the school.

What also helped was his relationship with defensive line coach Larry Johnson. This is his 14th season on the staff and ninth year coaching the defensive line. In that span, he has been instrumental in the development of five first-team All-Americans, including three first-round NFL draft choices.

"He's a real good guy and everything he says is backed up by the players," Hailes said. "He sealed the deal for me."

A chance to play for Penn State coach Joe Paterno was icing on the cake.

"It's like playing basketball with Michael Jordan," he said. "You're with a legend. A lot of people wish they could play for him but I'm going to get a chance to do it."

Hailes becomes the first player under Richard Morgan to commit to Penn State. He also is the second Oscar Smith player from the Class of 2010 to commit early. Quarterback Phillip Sims committed to Alabama in April.

"I think it's great for them because it takes all the pressure off of them," Morgan said. "It's easy now."

Morgan said Hailes picking Penn State was "a no-brainer."

"He got up there and was blown away by the visit," he said. "And he loved Larry Johnson. That was the biggest thing. His parents also fell in love with the place and they thought it was the best place for him."

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com