Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546159
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 5 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Penn State added an intriguing offensive tackle to its 2027 class in mid-July when Swedish pros- pect Oscar Webersink announced his commitment. The 6-foot-8, 290-pounder camped at Penn State in June, putting up some impressive athletic numbers for a player his size. Like most European players who have pursued college football scholarships, Webersink will need time to adjust. That process is set to begin this fall with his transfer to St. Thomas More, a private school in Connecticut that has helped numerous international prospects get up to speed before they officially enroll. Despite hav- ing yet to play 11-man high school football in the United States, Webersink is listed by Rivals as a three-star prospect and is the No. 109 offensive tackle nationally and No. 11 player in Connecticut. With five offensive linemen now committed in the 2027 class, Penn State should be finished at that position group, but the staff still has work to do at other spots, no- tably wide receiver. As of early August, four-star prospect Landon Blum was the only receiver in the class, leaving room for as many as two additions before the December signing period. General manager Derek Hoodjer and the recruiting staff will determine who they plan to pursue once there's some early-season senior film to review, but one player who bears mentioning already is Jamar Taylor of Wilming- ton, Del. Listed at 6-4, 190 pounds, Taylor committed to Rutgers in May and has remained firm. However, he did previously admit he had interest in Penn State. If he were to receive an offer, it wouldn't be surprising to see the three-star prospect attend a game at some point. Taylor is the No. 62 wideout in the country, per Rivals' scouts, and is No. 2 in his home state. Chase Guers, a West Virginia commit from Schuylkill Haven, Pa., is another name to remember. Guers ran a 10.48-second 100-meter time in May to earn the gold medal at the PIAA Class AAA Track and Field Championships. The Blue Mountain High prospect committed to WVU in June following official visits to Cincinnati and Syracuse. As with Taylor, Penn State hasn't offered Guers, but there has been mutual interest through- out his recruitment, making him a name worth monitoring. Rivals lists him as the No. 156 receiver nationally and No. 29 player in Pennsylvania. Running back and tight end are two other positions on offense that could still see additions. Defensively, linebacker and safety are the main positions to watch. One of the prospects who will bear scrutiny is three-star linebacker Michael Harden Jr. of Xaverian Brothers in Westwood, Mass. Checking in at 6-2, 215 pounds, Harden put together a very impressive workout at Penn State's second prospect camp in June. At the time, the staff was prioritizing other targets, but they haven't forgotten about Harden, despite his commitment to Boston College about two weeks after he camped. A teammate of Penn State quarterback commit Will Wood, he's the No. 124 linebacker nationally and No. 10 player in Massachu- setts, per Rivals. In the secondary, Penn State appears to be in good shape at cornerback with three commits, but it won't hesitate to add another safety if the opportunity arises. In May, three-star prospect Gabe Jenkins surprised many when he committed to Colorado. That's a long way from his Pittsburgh home, and it's no secret that coach Deion Sanders and his staff are on the hot seat this sea- son. We expect Penn State to continue pursuing Jenkins throughout the fall, knowing that, if a change were to happen in Boulder, PSU would likely emerge as the ideal spot for him to ultimately sign. Rated No. 57 among safe- ties nationally and No. 18 in Pennsylvania, he was com- mitted to PSU before reopening his recruitment following James Franklin's dismissal last October. Penn State will likely take a similar approach with other talented players throughout the fall. Following a major overhaul of the roster and a hectic recruiting effort that yielded just 15 signees in the 2026 cycle, Matt Campbell and his staff won't shy away from adding talent at any position if given the opportunity. — Ryan Snyder Lions Aim To Put Finishing Touches On 2027 Class This Fall Three-star Massachusetts linebacker Michael Harden Jr. is com- mitted to Boston College, but he's been on Penn State's radar ever since an impressive workout at a prospect camp in June. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL