Penn State Sports Magazine
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5 4 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State picked up an eagerly awaited commitment on Sept. 26 when 2025 athlete Brady O'Hara announced for the Nittany Lions two days after attending their White Out victory over Iowa. Listed at 6-foot-6, 241 pounds, O'Hara plays tight end at North Catho- lic High in Pittsburgh but could poten- tially grow into an offensive tackle. A four-star prospect in the On3 Indus- try Ranking, he's visited Penn State six times this year, most recently to watch the Nittany Lions shut out the Hawk- eyes 31-0 on Sept. 23. "Being here for the White Out game was an absolutely amazing experience," O'Hara said. "The energy hits you as soon as you walk in, and it was so cool to walk out onto the field and feel the crowd." Even before he attended the game, O'Hara was thinking about committing to the Nittany Lions. During the sum- mer, he earned Power Five scholarship offers from Penn State, Pitt, West Vir- ginia and Wisconsin. That total would have likely climbed in the coming months as coaches got a better look at his film. However, O'Hara said there wasn't any reason to wait. Penn State already felt like the best place for him. "I know I would have gotten more offers down the road, but every time I went to Penn State, the relationship just kept getting better and better," he said. "When I went to their junior day for the first time, I just kept thinking about how incredible this place was. I walked out of there thinking that I could truly see myself there. "As time went on, I just kept think- ing the same. When we were leaving the White Out game, walking down the stairs to go to our car, that's when I re- ally started thinking, 'Yeah, I want to commit here. This is a place I want to be.' "I just thought to myself that I should commit now. If I already know where I want to be, there's no point in waiting for other offers." With his commitment now behind him, the biggest question concerning O'Hara's collegiate future has to do with his position. Through five games this season, he totaled 12 receptions for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite his size, he moves well, having turned in a 4.8-second time in the 40-yard dash. But that athleticism also makes him a potentially valuable asset as an offen- sive tackle. O'Hara said that no matter what hap- pens moving forward, he wants to do what's best for Penn State. "I'll play wherever they want me to play to win a Big Ten championship," he said. "We've had a few talks about it. If my senior season goes well, they'll keep me with the tight ends, but a lot of it will depend on how my body changes. If I grow to 260, they've said they'll consider moving me to tackle. If I stay around the size I am now, they think I have a bright future [at tight end]. It all just depends how my genetics work out." O'Hara is the No. 305 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He's the 16th-ranked tight end and the eighth-ranked player in Penn- sylvania. O'Hara was primarily recruited by tight ends coach Ty Howle, and he's ea- ger to play for the former Nittany Lion center turned assistant coach if that's where he ends up fitting in at Penn State. "I really like Coach Howle," O'Hara said. "He understands the game very well, especially the footwork since he played on the line at Penn State." He went on to add, "I can't wait to get out to Happy Valley and really be part of the family down there. I can't wait to experience what it's really like to be part of that team and experience what it's like to have the fan support they have." ■ Pittsburgh Athlete Brings Size, Versatility To 2025 Class RYA N S N Y D E R | R Y A N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M Listed as a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, O'Hara could play tight end or offensive tackle at the college level. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE Jumbo athletes are hard to come by, and that's what Brady O'Hara is. Can the 6-foot-6, 241-pound tight end remain at a skill position as a college player? Or will he move full-time to the line of scrimmage? We're putting the money on him eventu- ally being a tackle prospect, because he's got a massive frame and is a good athlete, but not an extremely good athlete, which is what Penn State has at tight end. However, if he does stay at his current position, he'll need to be a throwback Y tight end who blocks like a tackle and controls the short passing game as a receiver. O'Hara is too good an athlete to pass up. However, no matter where he plays, he'll have to work on maintaining a low pad level, because he's a tall athlete who plays upright too often. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N COMMITMENT PROFILE BRADY O'HARA