Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545007
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 6 4 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M N o team had more momentum on the recruiting trail through- out April and May than Penn State. After picking up a commitment from cornerback Semajay Robinson on March 28, the Nittany Lions averaged a commitment every three days through May 15, which is when Massachusetts quarterback Will Wood became the 18th player to join the class. However, with upwards of 30 players expected to sign with head coach Matt Campbell and his staff in this year's class, there was still plenty of work to do. Of- ficial visits are set to begin the weekend of June 5-7. Below is a breakdown of Penn State's top targets at each position heading into the summer. Quarterback Penn State picked up a commitment from Wood on May 15. The three-star prospect threw for just shy of 3,000 yards last season, while also totaling 42 touchdowns and just 1 interception. In most classes, one quarterback is all you need, but following an offseason full of roster turnover, another high school sig- nal-caller is possible. One player to keep an eye on is Brody Breneman of Lakeland, Fla. Unrated by Rivals, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal- caller visited Penn State in the spring and is expected to camp with the Lions in June. Running Back Penn State added two ball carriers to its class in mid-May with the addition of four-star South Carolina prospect Aiden Gibson and three-star New Jersey running back Chukwuma Odoh. While the staff will continue to pursue uncom- mitted prospects, we expect Gibson and Odoh to be Penn State's two running back signees in the 2027 class. Wide Receiver As of mid-May, the Lions had earned commitments from four-star receiver Landon Blum of Woodbine, Iowa, and three-star prospect Jamir Dean of Al- coa, Tenn. Blum, who has a longstand- ing relationship with Campbell and his staff, has shown no signs of wavering. However, an offer from Georgia just five days after his commitment has Dean intrigued. In fact, the 6-2, 175-pound receiver is expected to take an official visit to Athens the weekend of June 12- 14. His official visit to Penn State is set for June 5-7. With three or potentially four receivers expected in the class, there are others to monitor, notably Pittsburgh native Khalil Taylor. The four-star prospect from Pine-Richland High visited Colorado the weekend of May 15-17 and was expected to also visit Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska and Penn State in June. A former PSU commit, Taylor is ranked No. 94 overall nationally and No. 17 among wideouts. The Lions are also expected to host Alabama native DeShawn Hall and Ari- zona resident Jaden Baldwin for official visits in June. Hall, a 6-4, 190-pound three-star prospect, plans to also visit Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee. Many believe it'll be tough to pry the nation's No. 48 receiver from the South. Baldwin, meanwhile, has ties to Penn- sylvania. He's the son of former NFL wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who grew up in Aliquippa. In fact, his fa- ther's alma mater, Pitt, looks to be Penn State's top competitor. Listed at 6-0, 180 pounds, Baldwin has received a three- star grade from Rivals and is the nation's No. 85 receiver. Tight End Penn State is expected to sign at least two tight ends in the 2027 class. After South Dakota native Cooper Terwilliger committed in April, the Nittany Lions have been primarily focused on Parker Newman, a four-star prospect from Se- vierville, Tenn., as well as Colt Lumpris and Sean Currie, both of whom play at Plenty Of Work Ahead, Even As 2027 Class Expands RYA N S N Y D E R | RYA N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M FOOTBALL RECRUITING Four-star receiver Khalil Taylor of Pittsburgh is expected to take an official visit to Penn State in June. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS Rivals Industry 2027 Team Recruiting Rankings As of May 18 Rk. School Commits 1. Texas A&M 14 2. Texas Tech 9 3. Oklahoma 21 4. USC 14 5. Notre Dame 17 6. Miami 13 7. Ohio State 12 8. Florida 15 9. LSU 13 10. Oregon 12 15. Penn State 18