Jake Forrester talks Penn State crystal ball predictions, Notre Dame contact, and his decision factors

The second-ranked player of the Pennsylvania class of 2018, Jake Forrester, breaks down his crystal ball predictions, contact with Notre Dame basketball, and what he wants in his future program.

Jake Forrester already has 13 offers, but the class of 2018 power forward has a long way to go in his recruiting process. As he waits for more schools to contact him, Forrester begins to collect his thoughts on how his decision-making process will go. With plenty of time left before he makes his commitment decision, there are plenty of questions, predictions, and thoughts floating around this 6’8 forward.

For right now, many experts crystal ball Forrester to choose Penn State. As a Pennsylvania native, heading to PSU is something everyone believes he’ll do. Visiting the Nittany Lions more than once in the past year, Forrester has tested the waters in Happy Valley. But he may not be as sold on Penn State as many believe. PSU may still be the outcome of his commitment, but for now, he isn’t 100% on anything.

“They (experts) only have them at the top because of the visits I took there. I’m not saying that’s the only reason they’re up there, I like Penn State a lot,” Forrester said. “They’re one of the first three schools to offer me, and they’ll definitely going to be in my top five top ten when I make my final decision.”

With Penn State’s rise in talent over the years, the Nittany Lions have plenty of things appealing to the athlete. Their players, coaches, and atmosphere are things Forrester would love to have in a program.

“Great coaching staff, great group of guys, and their program is definitely on the rise,” Forrester explained. “It’ll (crystal ball predictions) change once I start visits to other places, but they are a good school.”

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Forrester’s only offer isn’t Penn State, though. Out of his 13 offers, there are a few teams who have caught the eye of the junior. Teams like Indiana, Kansas State, and others are at the front of his list. Even if he doesn’t have an official list and he’s still waiting for other schools, Forrester does have teams that have stood out thus far.

“I like Seton Hall, a very good school. One of my recent offers, Pitt, I like them. Providence has a great coaching staff. Coach (Ed) Cooley is a great guy,” Forrester said. “Kansas State has a great coaching staff as well. And Indiana, definitely. Indiana saw me play down in Maryland at the DC Tournament and they offered me right after they saw me play.”

Although he’s certain to receive many more offers, Forrester is content with what he has. His hard work and determination are going to shine at any program. Because of it, he isn’t concerned about who else will offer but to continue impressing for the teams that already have.

“All the hard work I’ve put in the gym, schools that I would have never thought would come out and recruit me did.”

“This recruiting process has taken off out of nowhere,” says Forrester. “All the hard work I’ve put in the gym, schools that I would have never thought would come out and recruit me did. At this point, there’s not that a certain school I want, I’m just appreciating everything that I’m getting at the moment.”

Over the past week, Notre Dame has gotten involved in Forrester’s recruiting process. Assistant coach, Robert Ayers, first made contact with the junior recruit through Twitter. Even if they haven’t pushed for the recruit yet, they are beginning to notice his game. With more basketball coming this spring, the Irish coaching staff is going to start pursuing Forrester.

“He (Coach Ayers) DM’d me, and we went back and forth for a good bit,” Forrester said as he began to read their conversation. “I was asking about how many players of my position in the 2018 class. He (Ayers) said, we’re going to recruit you, and we have heard all good things. We’re very selective in our positions we pursuit. We haven’t offered any player in your position in 2018. April is right around the corner. Our plan is to come and see you this spring, ASAP.”

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Now that Notre Dame has made contact, the question will arise of a possible visit. If Forrester does make plans to visit South Bend, whether or not they have what he’s looking for is a major factor in his decision. As one of the best schools and basketball programs in the country, there is plenty to offer from Notre Dame. Whether they meet Forrester’s expectations will be up to him.

“Yes, absolutely,” Forrester answered when asked if he’d visit Notre Dame. “Atmosphere, campus life, I would talk to people that go to school there that aren’t even on the basketball team to see how they like it (Notre Dame). I would ask for the basketball players’ perspective, see how they like it. Every time I go on a visit I try to get the whole understanding because that’s where I’ll be spending my college years,” Forrester explained about as to what he would be looking for during the visit.

As Notre Dame begins to plan their future with the forward, he begins to plan what he’s looking for in a program. As an athlete, he knows exactly what he’s looking for in a program and which schools have and will match them. Like most players, coaching staff, style of play, and impact on the team factor into his decision.

“I’m looking for a school that has a great coaching staff and a school that makes a player better,” Forrester said. “I’m not trying to say go to the NBA or make money some day, just try to make a player better than what he already is. That’s one of the biggest factors. And a school that’s big but not too big, and academics. I’m real big on academics.”

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Forrester does want to make an impact on his team, though. Learning from some of the best is important, but using those skills to contribute to a team is also a factor. For a player with his talent, coming in an impacting a team immediately is something any school is going to take advantage of and is something Forrester will consider in his decision.

“I want to go to a school lets me have an impact my freshman year,” Forrester said. “Doesn’t mean I have to start my freshman year, just means I’m able to impact the game.”

With a lot of time left in his recruiting process, Forrester’s commitment future is shaping out well. Now, he looks to build from his offers and begin deciding which programs are right for him.