Pollard's parents pulled him aside and began to scold him. He had come so far from a tragedy four years ago that threatened to rip his family apart to lose focus now. Through it all, Pollard, had kept a smile on his face - the trademark of the 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive tackle, whose strength had pushed West Deptford to a New Jersey Group II state championship back in the fall.
Pollard and his parents moved behind the table and into their big moment. Across the country at settings just like this, families were celebrating dreams come true as their sons accepted college scholarships. But at West Deptford, Pollard's parents forced canned smiles as Pollard penned his signature slowly for the cameras.
"Can I really sign it now?" he asked his coach.
Pollard, 18, signed the next four-plus years over to Penn State, a decision that had been met with skepticism since he committed to the Nittany Lions Dec. 29, becoming the first player to choose Penn State since the Jerry Sandusky alleged child sex abuse scandal broke on Nov. 4.
Certainly, the coaches in University Park, Pa., were in desperate need of some good news. For 57 days after the Sandusky story first engulfed the campus and headlines around the country, Penn State's football program had not picked up one verbal commitment, and at least three players formerly committed to the Nittany Lions had decided Happy Valley was no longer the place for them. Joe Paterno had built a traditional power during 46 years as coach, but it appeared that history mattered little to the whims of today's teenage football stars.
