Penn State Football: Inside The Impacts of Missing Out on Joey O’Brien
This Friday, June 20th, Penn State Football’s biggest recruiting target announced his commitment.
High four-star Safety, Joey O’Brien of LaSalle College High School, was in LaSalle’s gym when he announced where he would be committing to.
For Penn State fans, the dreaded hat was grabbed.
The Fighting Irish were the pick.
O’Brien put on his Notre Dame cap as he, his family, and his LaSalle community celebrated this moment.
This one stings for Penn State.
Being that O’Brien is the top player in Pennsylvania and the Nittany Lions‘ top target, losing him to Notre Dame really hurts.
However, the show must go on. Here are some of the ripple effects of Joey O’Brien committing to Notre Dame.
This One is Not Over for Penn State Football
There is a lot of time between now and early national signing day.
If you think James Franklin will just roll over and accept defeat on this, you are sorely mistaken.
Franklin and company will do everything in their power to work to flip Joey O’Brien from the Fighting Irish.
The top PA player is just 3 short hours from State College. Given that there is nearly a full football season worth of time between now and signing day, Penn State will be working hard to get Joey O’Brien to come back to campus for a visit.
Penn State will throw the kitchen sink at him.
O’Brien is a great kid and great football player. That is why it stinks to miss out on him for Penn State. However, I wouldn’t completely rule the Nittany Lions out just yet.
Lone Star State Safety
So, O’Brien’s recruitment is not over, as far as Penn State is concerned, however, they would be foolish not to look at other plans.
With two Safeties and an athlete that can play Safety already committed, Penn State doesn’t need to take anymore Safeties.
However, there is one guy on the board that could factor in to the equation. Texas Safety, Jordan Deck is a name to pay attention to. Deck was on campus in May and has since visited Michigan and Baylor.
Right now, Deck appears to be a Michigan lean. But, maybe with O’Brien going to Notre Dame, Penn State factors back into the picture with Jordan Deck.
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Strong Penn State Safety Class
Even though Penn State did swing and miss on Joey O’Brien, they still have a lot to be excited about at the Safety spot.
Anthony Poindexter has 4 star, Pittsburgh native, Matt Sieg on board. He also has Darrell Carey and Davis Davis committed.
Sieg is a blue chip, 4 star prospect. His high school film is not disappointing. Carey is a sleeper Safety in the class of 2026. He reminds me a lot of KJ Winston. David Davis is also a versatile piece who could play multiple spots on the field.
The point is, Penn State still has a lot to like at Safety in this class of 2026.
MORE Penn State Football news from NittanyCentral:
Penn State Football Recruiting: Newly Offered 2026 Prospect Talks Penn State Offer [EXCLUSIVE]
BREAKING: Penn State Football Lands Elite 4-Star LB Elijah Littlejohn Over National Powers
Why 2026 CB Amauri Polydor Committed to Penn State Football: ‘The Brotherhood’ and NFL Development
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Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
- Penn State Football: Inside The Impacts of Missing Out on Joey O’Brien - June 21, 2025
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