UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Head coach James Franklin announced the addition of defensive back Tyrece Mills and offensive lineman Vega Ioane to the 2022 signing class on Wednesday.
Penn State has welcomed 25 student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent to join the football program. Nine of the signees have already enrolled – Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, Jerry Cross, Zane Durant, Omari Evans, JB Nelson, Beau Pribula, Kaden Saunders and Nicholas Singleton.
Vega Ioane
6-4, 330
Offensive Line
Graham, Wash./Graham-Kapowsin
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for head coach Eric Kurle at Graham-Kapowsin High School…Anchored an offensive line for one of the top teams in the country…Team went 15-0 as a senior and won a Class 4A state championship…Squad posted a perfect 5-0 mark in a pandemic shortened season in 2020 and went 11-1 in 2019…Named a 2021 MaxPreps second-team All-American…Graham-Kapowsin averaged 456.3 yards per game and 44.1 points per game in 2021…Team averaged 446.8 yards per game on offense in 2020 to go along with 37.2 points per game…Rated a consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, On3, Rivals and ESPN…Ranked the No. 26 interior offensive lineman and No. 9 player in Washington by 247Sports…Tabbed the No. 42 interior lineman by On3 and No. 10 player in the state by On3…Is the No. 9 player in Washington according to Rivals…Rated the No. 19 player at his position and No. 9 player in the state per ESPN.
PERSONAL
Full name is Olaivavega Ioane....Son of Aifai and Tausisi Ioane....Is one of nine siblings…Has five brothers, Joe, Chico, Avei, David and Tausisi Jr., and three sisters, Hana, Mata and Lili....Enjoys working out, cooking and hiking in his free time...Would like to major in business, law or sports management at Penn State.
Eric Kurle, Graham-Kapowsin Head Coach: "Vega is a two-way player who dominated on both sides of the ball for us. He plays with a relentless motor and has a desire to dominate his opponents."
Tyrece Mills
6-1, 195
Defensive Back
Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast (Lackawanna College)
2020-21 • LACKAWANNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Appeared in seven games for the Falcons in 2021…Recorded 35 tackles (24 solo) to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble…Appeared in both games of Lackawanna's shortened 2021 spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic…Made 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception in the two games……Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals...Ranked as the No. 7 junior college player nationally, the No. 1 junior college safety overall and the No. 2 junior college player in Pennsylvania by 247Sports.
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-time letterman for head coach Troy Gore at Northeast High School...Was a team captain as a senior…The Vikings won three public league championships his sophomore, junior and senior seasons…Helped lead his team to a 12-2 record and a 5-0 mark in conference play during senior season…Named team MVP his senior year…Named the 6A Public Player of the Year as a senior…Also picked up first-team All-Southeastern and All-Eastern Pennsylvania honors…Added first-team all-city to his senior year laurels…Made nine interceptions, and broke up five passes during his senior season…Added 60 tackles that season and forced and recovered a fumble….Made 50 tackles and five interceptions as a junior…Tallied 30 stops and three interceptions during sophomore campaign…Was high school teammates with Penn State signee Ken Talley.
PERSONAL
Full name is Tyrece Rahsahn Mills....Son of Melissa Mills....Has a brother, Dyshyn Murray, and a sister, Shadiah Mills, Shamyra Murray and Auahna Mills....Enjoys making music in his free time...Would like to major in business or engineering.
Mark Duda, Lackawanna Head Coach: "Tyrece is a gifted athlete, he can run and jump. He's a game-changer with great ball skills and he's a big-time tackler. He's only going to get better and better. He has all the physical skills you want. He's a quiet guy, but someone who will always get it done."
The Nittany Lions signed 16 recruits that were rated four stars or higher by 247Sports, On3, ESPN or Rivals.
The Class of 2022 features 13 offensive signees, 11 defensive players and one specialist. There are 21 team captains, three players who have won a state championship eight players participating in high school national all-star games.
