STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s first recruiting class since the NCAA hammered the program with sanctions includes a potential quarterback of the future and a promising pass-rushing defensive end.

So much for the gloom-and-doom scenarios about getting shunned on the recruiting trail following the steep scholarship cuts as part of the penalties for the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

High school prospects could formally declare their college choices starting Wednesday, and coveted Virginia quarterback Christian Hackenberg and highly rated New Jersey defensive end Garrett Sickels were among the 12 players who faxed in letters-of intent.

They joined five prospects who have already enrolled early as freshmen to cap the 17-member Class of 2013 on a relatively drama-free signing day.

“What we want here is a smart team, a high character team. A big, fast football team that can play in all types of weather,” coach Bill O’Brien said at the Penn State football building.

A few touted prospects had taken back verbal commitments since July, after the NCAA announced its sanctions which also included a four-year postseason ban.

Otherwise, the centerpieces of the class, including Hackenberg, Sickels and Pennsylvania tight end Adam Breneman, stuck with their long-standing verbal commitments.

“Sanction-wise, certainly we lost some kids because of sanctions. There’s no question about it,” O’Brien said. “But at the end of the day, all I’m concerned about are the guys who are here.”

Most recruiting services had Penn State’s class fourth in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska.