Jven Williams, Joey Schlaffer make things official, sign with Penn State
Jven Williams, like hundreds of top football prospects across the country and several others in Berks, made things official Wednesday, signing an NCAA National Letter of Intent. The All-State lineman committed to Penn State in February.
One of his future teammates, Exeter’s Joey Schlaffer, did likewise. He committed to the Nittany Lions early in his junior season, following the path of his half-brother Michal Menet, a former Exeter star who became a starting center and captain.
Williams and Schlaffer are among five Berks players signing with Division I programs, including Wilson’s Cam Jones (Holy Cross), Exeter’s Anthony Caccese (Delaware) and Gov. Mifflin’s Ayden Martin.
Wyomissing’s Pacen Ziegler and Reading High’s Amier Burdine could be joining them; each has received several offers. Ziegler has a preferred walk-on offer at Penn State, as well as offers from Davidson and Duquesne. Burdine and Ziegler each have offers from St. Francis and Sacret Heart.
Wednesday was the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period for football.
Williams was joined by family, teammates and coaches Wednesday morning during a short ceremony in Wyomissing’s Trophy Room. He thanked his coaches and teammates for their part in drawing numerous Division I offers.
“This wouldn’t be possible without you guys pushing me every day,” said the All-State lineman.
Both he and Schlaffer will enroll at Penn State in January. At some point in the near future the two could be lining up side by side, Williams at tackle, Schlaffer at tight end. They’ve talked about that for months.
“It’s crazy to think about, and with (Gov. Mifflin grad) Nick (Singleton) in the backfield,” Schlaffer said. “It’s crazy how it’s all come together like that.”
Schlaffer did his best to point Williams toward State College.
“I texted him months before (he signed),” Schlaffer said: ” ‘You know the move, bro; you know what to do.’ He texted back: ‘We are.’ “
“We’re both PA native kids,” said Schlaffer, Exeter’s all-time leading receiver, “and pretty much right from the get-go we both pretty much were looking at Penn State.”
Here’s a list of college football commitments for the Berks senior class:
| Player | High School | Position | College |
| Anthony Caccese | Exeter | OL | Delaware |
| Makih Cooper | Wilson | DL | Lebanon Valley |
| Cam Jones | Wilson | DB/KR | Holy Cross |
| Masen Ketner | Twin Valley | OL | Misericordia |
| Ayden Martin | Gov. Mifflin | DB | Monmouth |
| Joey Schlaffer | Exeter | TE | Penn State |
| Jven Williams | Wyomissing | OL | Penn State |
