ORLANDO, Fla. — Ricky Rahne has known Connor McGovern for as long as anyone at Penn State.

The offensive coordinator recruits Luzerne County for the Nittany Lions. So he has plenty of memories of McGovern’s turn from rapidly emerging star at Lake-Lehman to the keystone of Penn State’s offensive line.

“Just how humble he and his family are,” Rahne said. “Just watching him grow up from a kid to being a man now. Every once in awhile I look at him and I remember how he was a baby-faced kid the first time he came up here.”

And now he’s headed to the NFL.

Ahead of the curve in both high school and college, the 21-year-old son of Jim and Maureen McGovern is now in the very rare category of offensive linemen who turn pro after just three years of college football, the earliest a player can enter the draft.

The decision was made before Penn State’s Citrus Bowl loss to Kentucky on Tuesday, and McGovern announced it publicly on Wednesday in a letter addressed to “Nittany Nation.”

“As a Pennsylvania kid from Lake-Lehman and the small town of Larksville it has been an honor to play for Penn State,” McGovern wrote. “After much research, thought and discussion, I have decided to declare for the NFL draft.

“While I have not had a presence on social media, I want all of Nittany Nation to know your support has meant the world to me. I’d like to thank my family, friends, coaches and advisors who have helped me grow as a person and a player. I completely understand the immense challenge before me, and I am ready to relentlessly work to improve each and every day. Thank you.”

Saw action early

It was part of a very busy day for the program, as McGovern was one of six names who won’t be returning next season. Junior defensive end Shareef Miller, junior defensive tackle Kevin Givens and junior offensive tackle Ryan Bates also said they would be leaving early for the pros and sophomore linebacker Dae’Lun Darien announced he would seek a transfer because of an illness in his family. On the staff side of things, Penn State fired wide receivers coach David Corley.

For McGovern, his stock has been steadily rising since he first received a flurry of scholarship offers as a junior at Lake-Lehman, where he played center.

He ended his recruitment early, committing in person to Lions coach James Franklin in March 2015.

He graduated high school early, finishing as a multiple-year all-star for coach Jerry Gilsky and the Black Knights, enrolling at Penn State in January 2016.

He saw the field for the Lions early, right from the first game of that 2016 season, where he checked in at right guard, becoming the first offensive lineman in eight years to play as a true freshman at Penn State.

He even became a starter early, essentially moving into the first-team spot at right guard at the end of September, midway through a game at Michigan. He got his first start the next week against Minnesota, and the Lions proceeded to win nine straight games and a Big Ten title en route to the Rose Bowl.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that McGovern is headed to the NFL early as well. Especially not after drawing the attention of scouts and draft pundits like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who named McGovern his top draft-eligible guard back in November.

‘Great leader’

In all, McGovern started 35 games at Penn State — 21 at right guard and 14 at center — and only missed one game in three seasons.

“His ability to grow as a leader, his ability to grow football IQ-wise from the offense they were running in high school to what he’s doing now has been tremendous,” Rahne said. “Just love watching him, how versatile he is for us, playing center, playing guard. He could even play tackle for us. He’s done some great things.”

“Loved EVERY minute of coaching this warrior!” Lions offensive line coach Matt Limegrover wrote on Twitter. “Will miss him but I’m very excited to see where the future takes him.”

That will come in the spring, as the draft will be held from April 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn.

McGovern’s 6-foot-5 frame and ability to play multiple positions should boost his stock as well as he looks to join other prominent Wyoming Valley Conference alums to be drafted such as GAR’s Greg Skrepenak (second round, 1992) and Pittston Area’s Jimmy Cefalo (third round, 1978).

More recently, GAR grad Mark Glowinski, a guard himself, was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 draft.

Meyers legend Rocket Ismail was in line to be the No. 1 overall pick out of Notre Dame in the 1991 draft but elected to sign a record-breaking deal in the Canadian Football League instead. He was still an NFL fourth-round pick.

As for Penn State, McGovern’s steady presence will be missed on the field and in the locker room.

“Connor had been a great leader for us as a three-year starter,” Coach James Franklin said. “He has been instrumental in building our offensive line room’s chemistry. We are excited for Connor to make this next step in his football career. We couldn’t be more proud of Connor and wish him nothing but success.”

After starting 35 games in three seasons for Penn State at guard and center, Lake-Lehman graduate Connor McGovern is off to the NFL. The Nittany Lions junior announced his decision to enter the draft on Wednesday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_CMYK-profile.jpg.optimal.jpgAfter starting 35 games in three seasons for Penn State at guard and center, Lake-Lehman graduate Connor McGovern is off to the NFL. The Nittany Lions junior announced his decision to enter the draft on Wednesday. Dallas Post file photo

Connor McGovern began drawing serious attention from colleges during his junior season at Lake-Lehman High School.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Lake-Lehman-Mid-Valley-ftbl-2.jpg.optimal.jpgConnor McGovern began drawing serious attention from colleges during his junior season at Lake-Lehman High School. Dallas Post file photo

After an impressive senior season, Connor McGovern was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2016.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_mcgovern-jersey.jpg.optimal.jpgAfter an impressive senior season, Connor McGovern was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2016. Dallas Post file photo

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_mcgovern-letter.jpg.optimal.jpgDallas Post file photo

Connor McGovern was named Times Leader Player of the Year in football in 2015.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_mcgovern1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgConnor McGovern was named Times Leader Player of the Year in football in 2015. Dallas Post file photo

By Derek Levarse

dlevarse@timesleader.com

INSIDE

PSU’s Bates, Miller, Givens join McGovern in the draft; Lions fire WR coach, Page 1B