Penn State solidified its position with one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation last weekend.

Now, they've received a verbal commitment from one of the top receivers.

Though the national recruiting of Baltimore's Adrian Coxson (6-foot-1, 195-pounds) only took off in the past couple of months, he ended the decision-making process on Thursday when he announced for the Nittany Lions on DigitalSports.com.

Coxson picked Penn State over scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Michigan, West Virginia, Pitt and others.

His decision comes only a few days after Pittsburgh-area quarterback Paul Jones re-affirmed his verbal pledge to the Lions after attending the Blue-White Game festivities.

Coxson is rated as a four-star prospect out of five by national recruiting services and is coming off of a junior season in which he made 35 receptions for 985 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His national publicity, though, has only come recently as he excelled on the combine workout circuit.

Scout.com. recruiting expert Bob Lichtenfels wrote this about him last week:

"Coxson is not a blazer, but he has game speed. He seems to just glide by people. When he is challenged he seems like he is playing faster. He is very physical and tough to jam. He has a ton of upside at the next level. He really reminded me a lot of Larry Fitzgerald at the same level, not a fast guy, but he goes

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up and gets the ball and his body is always in the right position to make the catch."

Penn State's third commitment so far for the class of 2010 is Pittsburgh-area's Mike Hull, arguably the top linebacker in the state.

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Lions sign contracts: At least 10 Nittany Lions have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams in the past week.

The Carolina Panthers have picked up both offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan and safety Anthony Scirrotto. The rest of the group includes cornerback Tony Davis (Arizona Cardinals), defensive end Maurice Evans (New York Giants), defensive end Josh Gaines (Philadelphia Eagles), fullback Dan Lawlor (Washington Redskins), receiver Jordan Norwood (Cleveland Browns), safety Mark Rubin (St. Louis Rams), linebacker Tyrell Sales (Indianapolis Colts) and cornerback Lydell Sargeant (Buffalo Bills).

And former Lion, defensive tackle Chris Baker, has signed on with the Denver Broncos. He was kicked off the team at Penn State last summer and recently played this past fall at Hampton.

fbodani@ydr.com; 771-2104