Penn State lands commitment from Imhotep DB Kenny Woseley
Woseley, a junior defensive back, is the latest Philadelphia player to commit to the Nittany Lions.
Imhotep Charter junior defensive back Kenny Woseley committed to Penn State on Friday.
Last month, the 6-foot, 170-pound corner back narrowed his top four suitors: Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, and Rutgers.
“I’m just truly blessed to be in the position I’m in,” Woseley said. “I’ve always dreamed of being in this position. Being here now feels surreal to me.”
Ultimately, he said Penn State felt like “home” during a recent visit to the campus. It also helped, he said, that the school has strong ties to Philadelphia.
» READ MORE: Talent abounds at Imhotep, which features numerous players to watch in the quest for a state title
Roman Catholic senior defensive end Jameial Lyons signed with Penn State, and the Nittany Lions have a number of local players committed as preferred walk-ons including Central Bucks East senior offensive lineman Liam Powers.
A lot can change in the topsy-turvy world of recruiting, but with Woseley, Penn State potentially adds depth to its secondary.
Attrition via the transfer portal and the NFL draft has left opportunities in the Nittany Lions secondary.
Joey Porter Jr. is expected to be an early draft pick. Ji’Ayir Brown will also be in the draft, while Marquis Wilson and Jeffrey Davis entered the transfer portal.
» READ MORE: Joey Porter Jr. exude confidence at the NFL combine
James Franklin’s crew also added former North Carolina defensive back Storm Duck, who transferred to Happy Valley in January.
Woseley, a four-star prospect according to 247Sports, was an all-state selection in Class 5A last season. At Imhotep, he is also revered off the field.
Inside the school’s crowded cafeteria, family, friends, and teammates, current and former, gathered to celebrate.
“I could talk for days about Kenny,” said fourth-year Imhotep coach Devon Johnson. “He is the top-rated [defensive back] to ever come out of here and we’ve had some great DBs. But he’s also really an amazing young man.”
About 10 to 15 supporters grabbed the microphone during the event to sing Woseley’s praises. Even former teammates now in college, such as Penn State linebacker Keon Wylie, showed up in support.
“He’s going to be like a face of the franchise-type guy,” Johnson said of Woseley.
» READ MORE: Penn State’s James Franklin adds Keon Wylie and a prominent Philly-area contingent for national signing day
Woseley is already an ambassador of Imhotep’s STEM program. Last year, he was part of a group that delivered water filters, created by the school’s 3D printers, to Jackson, Miss. In May, Woseley will also be in a group that visits Ghana with a similar mission.
For his father, Kenny Sr., the early mission was to help his son earn a free education.
Kenny Sr. said he played high school basketball in New York and later at Akron University.
Several supporters talked about how hard Kenny Sr. pushed his son. He agrees.
“I always told my wife, my son was going to school for free,” Kenny Sr. said. “This is an amazing feeling. I love it. And the support here is real.”
A close family friend even referred to him as “King Woseley,” the way the father of tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams is often referred to as “King Richard.”
“‘King Richard’ don’t have anything on ‘King Woseley,’” joked Kenny Sr.’s wife, Karina Woseley.
Karina expressed pride in her family and how much it sacrificed to help her son achieve his football dreams.
The couple’s 13-year-old son, Kaleb, she said, is up next.
For now, the Woseley family is focused on celebrating its sacrifices and successes.
“We sacrificed a lot of time, patience, money, everything,” Karina said, “but it was all worth it and I wouldn’t take any of it back.”