The massive defensive end chose Penn State over Pittsburgh and Temple. He's projected to play defensive end for the Nittany Lions. Plus, Penn State's coaching staff gave him the option of also playing basketball, but Oakman stressed the priority will be football. This coming hoops season, he's expected to finish as a 4-year starter for the Patriots, last year's PIAA Class AAAA state runner-up.
But Oakman, who has been invited to the Under Armour game in January that features some of the best high school football players in the country, realizes his future lies with football.
He informed Penn State assistant coaches Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden of his decision Thursday night. He called Johnson first, asking him, "Do have that No. 91 ready for me next year, coach?"
"I couldn't be happier," said Oakman, who hopes to wear No. 91 at State College. "It came down to what I thought what a college should be and also what college coach was going to push me from being good to being great. I think coach Johnson and coach Vanderlinden can do that. That's why I choose Penn State.
"It wasn't easy. The coaching staffs believed in their programs, at Penn State, Pittsburgh and Temple. They all told me that their programs were best for me. I liked all of them. I loved all of the coaches. They were all good guys. I could see myself playing for any of those schools.
"That's what I liked about coach Johnson; he doesn't want me to be just a good player, he wants to push me to be great, and I think coach Johnson would push me in a good way."
Another priority in his choice was staying local. Penn State is a reasonable distance from Lansdowne, where Oakman lives with the Roberts family. His uncle and aunt have supported him since his freshman year at Penn Wood.
