The class of 2025 prospects from Penn State are now being welcomed to Happy Valley after being there for days, weeks, months, or years.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Penn State currently has 26 commitments in a class that is ranked 17th in the nation. However, it will undoubtedly be tense because the Nittany Lions just signed three-star tight end Brian Kortovich on Tuesday, making him their 26th commit.With the national letter of intent no longer tying prospects to their schools, there may be more in the future.
James Franklin will assist in leading Penn State’s signing day activities on Wednesday, checking in with early morning signees as they come in, taking a break from his preparations for Oregon in the Big Ten Championship. The activities are being streamed live on Penn State’s official social media accounts, which you can view here.
We’ve got you covered in case you miss anything. A complete list of Penn State’s signees will be available here when they become available.
On September 21, 2024, Yvan Kemajou, a recruit from Penn State, comes to watch Kent State play.
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10:10 a.m. | Paint Branch (Maryland), DL Yvan Kemajou
On the livestream, Franklin made the case that Yvan Kemajou, who led the Paint Branch Panthers to a 9-2 record and a second-round playoff exit in his senior season, was among the most improved players in the nation. On a pre-recorded video, current Nittany Lion defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard, who are also from Maryland, gave Kemajou a hearty Crib! to welcome him to Happy Valley. J-Thomas also made an unannounced appearance during the webcast to congratulate Kemajou. After a late surge in the rankings, Kemajou was ranked as a four-star prospect, the ninth-ranked player in Maryland, and the 39th-ranked defensive lineman nationwide. When Kemajou arrives on campus, he intends to major in mechanical engineering, according to Brian Tripp of Penn State.
Chaz Coleman, a recruit from Penn State, comes to watch the White Out game against Washington on November 9, 2024.
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9:55 a.m. | DE Warren G. Harding and Chaz Coleman (Ohio)
Chaz Coleman, a defensive end and late-breaking prospect who could be a real gem, was selected by Penn State. Coleman demonstrated his unadulterated athleticism on the football field while playing basketball and serving as quarterback for his high school team. He has the physique to become a defensive end, though, at 6-4 and 220 pounds. After a White Out visit, Coleman, who is rated as Ohio’s No. 12 talent, committed to Penn State on November 10. Before he enrolls in the summer, he may continue to move up the ranks. After the Nittany Lions, Coleman’s hometown of Ohio State attempted to enter the picture, but he never made the planned official visit at the end of November.
On April 13, 2024, Penn State recruits Floyd Bouchard and Randy Adirika stop by prior to the Blue-White matchup.
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9:43 a.m. | Miami Central (Florida) DT Randy Adirika
This summer, Penn State has been searching for interior defensive linemen to add to their recruiting class, and the Lions were successful in landing Randy Adirika. After the Penn State staff defeated advances from Miami and USC, the three-star and No. 79 prospect in Florida committed on July 9. With 20 sacks over the last two seasons, he is 6-3, 285 pounds, and incredibly effective.
DE Cortez Harris, Riverdale Baptist (Maryland), 9:35 a.m.
According to Franklin, once the defensive end arrives on campus and is put through the training and diet program, 6-3, 205-pound Cortez Harris will turn out to be a monster at Penn State. Shortly after his official tour, on June 23, Harris committed to Penn State. His only other official travels were to Tennessee and his homeland of Maryland. Prior to suffering a season-ending injury this year, Harris, the No. 12 recruit in Maryland, had 6.5 sacks. Franklin stated that they anticipate his enrollment in the summer.
Dayshaun Burnett, a commit, is greeted by Penn State head coach James Franklin prior to the Bowling Green game on September 7, 2024.
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Imani Christian (Pa.) and DE Dayshaun Burnett at 9:27 a.m.
This cycle, Penn State dominated the Pittsburgh region, mostly due to the efforts of assistant head coach Terry Smith. That pattern was maintained by Dayshaun Burnett, a four-star and Pennsylvania’s No. 11 player. For Imani Christian, Burnett was a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, playing several positions and both sides of the ball, as Franklin stated during the webcast. He made an impression at 7-on-7 camps during the summer, and once he is able to concentrate on just one position at Penn State, he will be a tremendous athlete. He is anticipated to become an edge rusher in Happy Valley at 6-3 and 220 pounds, and current Atlanta Falcon Arnold Ebiketie welcomed him.
In the first half, Brian Kortovich of Villa Angela-St. Joseph makes a catch over Sebastian Cook of Gilmour Academy.Gunter Joshua, cleveland.com
Brian Kortovich, TE, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Ohio), 9:20 a.m.
Brian Kortovich, the newest member of Penn State’s class of 2025, didn’t officially commit to the school until Tuesday, the day before signing day. Thanks in large part to an official visit over the weekend for Penn State’s victory over Maryland, the three-star tight end was committed to Purdue for over six months prior to making his flip. Kortovich is ranked as Ohio’s No. 21 player at 6-4 and 230 pounds. Due to his willingness to perform the grunt work as a blocker, Franklin referred to him as a throwback at tight end. When Kortovich had some growth spurts, he was a wide receiver.
On November 11, 2023, Penn State recruit Bekkem Kritza comes to watch the Michigan game.
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9:10 a.m. | QB Bekkem Kritza, Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Florida)
The signing of three-star Bekkem Kritza as Penn State’s quarterback for the 2025 class is official. After starting his season with Miami Central but losing the starting job, Kritza transferred to Chaminade-Madonna, where he ll lead the Lions to a state semifinal game this weekend.Kritza is ranked as the 37th best quarterback in the nation.
In the York Rose Bowl, Imhotep’s Jabree Wallace-Coleman scores against Clarkson North in their high school football match. 23 August 2024. [email protected] Sean Simmers
8:55 a.m. | Imhotep Charter (Pa.), RB Jabree Wallace-Coleman
On Wednesday’s Zoom introduction with Franklin, gifted running back Jabree Wallace-Coleman was the most recent to be officially introduced, accompanied by six family members. Defensive line coach Deion Barnes has assisted in stepping up recruitment efforts in Philadelphia at Imhotep Charter, with whom Penn State has close ties. Prior to decommitting on December 10, 2023, Wallace-Coleman committed to Georgia on July 11, 2022, so it took him some time to get to PSU. This summer, Penn State made the move and jumped back in with an official visit. Saquon Barkley, a star with the Philadelphia Eagles, welcomed Wallace-Coleman to Happy Valley. Imhotep, a four-star running back, is ranked as Pennsylvania’s fifth-best prospect.
Tiqwai Hayes, a recruit from Penn State, comes to watch the White Out game versus Minnesota on October 22, 2022.
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8:45 a.m. | Aliquippa (Pa.) | RB Tiqwai Hayes
Tiqwai Tikey Hayes formalized what Franklin, a player, referred to as the “whole package” for his academic and athletic endeavors. Current Nittany Lions running backs Nicholas Singleton and Quinton Martin, both of whom are gifted in-state, greeted him. The No. 12 athlete in Pennsylvania and a three-star prospect, Hayes remained steadfast in his dedication to PSU. The staff clearly prioritizes him because he has visited the campus an astounding 19 times. According to Franklin, he is among the nation’s less well-known running backs. In addition to being 5’11” and 210 pounds, Hayes is the nephew of Terry Smith, Penn State’s assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach, who oversees the school’s recruiting efforts in the Pittsburgh region.
On October 5, 2024, Penn State recruits Matthew Outten and Bekkem Krista come to watch the UCLA game.
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8:35 a.m. | WR I.C. Norcom and Matthew Outten (Virginia)
The Nittany Lion legend and seasoned NFL player Allen Robinson greeted four-star Matthew Outten, continuing the trend of incoming Penn State receivers. Outten was a grueling recruiting process, with Franklin noting that the staff had their eyes on him early on but had to battle. Outten committed to Virginia Tech first on July 1 before flipping to the Nittany Lions on Sept. 2.He was a two-time team captain for I.C. Norcom and head coach Anthony Hawkins. Outten sits at 6-1 and 205 pounds, as he was a four-star and the No. 10 player in Virginia. In conjunction with Henderson, Penn State had another strong cycle in Virginia a place Franklin and Co. have targeted over the years.
8:25 a.m. | WR Koby Howard, Chaminade-Madonna (Florida)
Penn State made it a point to get as many talented wide receivers in this class as it possibly could. Koby Howard is the latest in that group, standing at 5-11 and 185 pounds. He s a four-star and the No. 59 player in Florida, playing at Florida powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Prep. His squad is still playing in the state playoffs, though he s dealt with an injury since October that has hurt his numbers and held him out.
Penn State commit Jeff Exinor Jr visits before the Bowling Green game on Sept. 7, 2024.
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8:20 a.m. | WR Jeff Exinor Jr., McDonogh School (Maryland)
Four-star wide receiverJeff Exinor Jr.officially inked his papers with Penn State, joining the long line of McDonogh School products at Penn State. He was welcomed by current New England Patriot and former McDonogh product Curtis Jacobs. Exinor chose the Nittany Lions over in-state Maryland and Virginia Tech, among others. The Penn State staff offered him before he started high school, and finally brought the 6-2, 215-pound receiver home. He played all over the place at McDonogh but mostly as a wideout, however, he led his team to a few wins as a wildcat quarterback this season.
Malachi Goodman (71) of Paramus Catholic blocks Jason Hall (52) of St. Joseph (Mont.) during the football game at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ on Saturday, September 21, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
7:30 a.m. | OL Malachi Goodman, Paramus Catholic (New Jersey)
This might have been Penn State s biggest win on the recruiting trail both literally and physically. at 6-6 and 310 pounds, Malachi Goodman is ranked as the No. 3 player in New Jersey and the No. 121 prospect in the entire country. Penn State and Franklin had to push hard for Goodman s services, as he took official visits to Alabama, USC, Auburn and Georgia and was seriously considering some of the powerhouse programs. Goodman committed to Penn State on Sept. 3.
Central Catholic (2) receiver Xxavier Thomas makes a catch and scores a touchdown against North Allegheny in a WPIAL Class 6A football championship game at Norwin High School on Saturday Nov. 15, 2024. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photo)Justin Guido/for the Post-Gazette
7:25 a.m. | DB Xxavier Thomas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Pa.)
Penn State has turned Pittsburgh Central Catholic into a pipeline over the past few years, and that didn t stop withXxavier Thomas. He s been one of Penn State s longest-tenured commits in the 2025 class, making his pledge on Dec. 21, 2023. Thomas visited Penn State 17 times and never went anywhere else in the process, according to On3. He s ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 14 player in Pennsylvania.
Penn State recruit Matt Henderson visits for the Indiana game on Oct. 28, 2023.
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7:10 a.m. | TE Matt Henderson, Powhatan (Virginia)
Penn State got the festivities going with tight end prospect Matt Henderson, who stands 6-5 and 210 pounds. Henderson was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in Virginia and the No. 16 tight end in the country as a four-star. His Powhatan Indians had just a 6-5 record this season with a first-round playoff exit, but Henderson was a star. He took only one official visit, to Penn State, and committed on May 8.
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