New Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell and staff have gotten off to a fast start on the recruiting trail. (Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Whether your outlet of choice is On3 or 247, both will advertise Penn State Football in the top 15 team recruiting rankings for the 2027 class.
We are coming down to the final stretch before official visits take place, and if you are a recruiting fanatic, you know this is the best part of the cycle because a domino effect begins.
One player’s commitment may directly impact another, which in return effects a different player.
Meanwhile, programs try their best to gather up as much talent as possible.
The 2027 Domino Effect: Why the Next 30 Days Define the Matt Campbell Era for Penn State Football
What makes this cycle even more entertaining and consequential is that Penn State has to not only nail this class with quantity but also quality.
Due to the regime change and accompanied by a more veteran roster in some key positions, head coach Matt Campbell not only has to fill a roster, but also do so with future true impactful players at the most important positions.
So which names should Penn State fans keep an eye out for?
Quarterback: Why the Lions are All-In on Will Wood
What we’re hearing: When it comes to the quarterback race for Penn State’s 2027 class, there have been two names, and we all know them well by now.
Adam Gorney of On3 had Nittany Nation in a frenzy Monday night when he put in a random prediction for Penn State and Peter Bourque.
Bourque will be ending his negotiations with programs and will announce his commitment on Thursday.
As of now, it looks like it’s a two program race between Georgia and Virginia Tech.
If I had to guess at the time of writing this piece, this seems to be leaning towards Georgia.
Yes, many insiders are predicting him to land as a Hokie, but gut feeling is he ends up in Athens.
Penn State’s Massachusetts Connection
Sources tell NittanyCentral, though, Peter’s agent is open for business up until his announcement, so we will have to wait and see if something changes.
Either way, I don’t think Penn State will be the hat Bourque picks up off the table Thursday evening. 247 is now saying Penn State is back in the mix, but I’m just not buying.
Sources have told NittanyCentral Penn State hasn’t been aggressive with the Tabor Academy 4-star QB for a few weeks now.
Has that changed? I don’t think so.
That’s because Penn State has been focused on a different 4-star QB from Massachusetts.
Will Wood had quite a gathering at his house last Friday night as the entire offensive coaching staff made the trip up north.
There’s no secret Penn State is pushing hard for a commitment from Wood, and I don’t think they will have to wait too much longer.
Sources have told NittanyCentral that Wood will be making his decision within the week. I think when all is said and done, Will Wood will be a Nittany Lion.
Running Back: Creating the ‘Thunder and Lightning’ Duo
What we’re hearing: Penn State Football enters the 2026 season extremely top-heavy at running back.
The room has four players who will all see action, but then after that, true freshman D’Antae Sheffey is the only ball carrier remaining.
Because of that, a two-running back class is a must, it wouldn’t be shocking to even see three taken, depending on the name.
Aiden Gibson is In: Analyzing the impact of the No. 12 RB’s pledge.
Tuesday night, Aiden Gibson wore a Penn State football shirt while sharing to the world that he plans to continue his football career in Happy Valley.
Nittany Nation has to be excited.
247 has Gibson as the 12th-ranked RB in the class, and seems to be the top fit for Penn State’s roster.
First-year running backs coach Savon Huggins has a handful of really talented backs scheduled for official visits. I don’t expect that to happen after Gibson’s pledge.
Gary Walker and Tre Segarra were always long shots, and now with an alpha joining the class, it would seem to telegraph both players not makng the trip up to Happy Valley.
That leaves a trio of very talented players.
Four-star Da’Jon Talley Rhodes out of DC has first crack at it with an official visit scheduled for June 12th. Whereas Javarris Warner and Chukwuma Odoh are set up for June 19th.
Predicting Chukwuma Odoh: Why the NJ-to-PSU pipeline is reopening under Savon Huggins.
There is a clear-cut favorite between the three, with the latest predictions having Penn State landing Odoh.
This makes the most sense for a few reasons.
For one, Penn State has made an emphasis to scour the Garden State for NJ talent going forward, where Odoh is from, playing at Paramus Catholic.
Huggins himself has strong ties in the area, having played his college ball at Rutgers.
Secondly, and more importantly, Odoh fits the mold perfectly for what Penn State is looking for, at six feet and 220 pounds, with more than enough speed and even more power.
Aiden Gibson is the more versatile three-down carrier, while Odoh will provide strength in between the tackles but also has the ability to take it 80 yards for a touchdown. At his size, he just recently ran a 10.8 100-meter.
A combo of both Gibson and Odoh is truly a dreamlike scenario for Huggins.
Wide Receiver: Quality Over Quantity for Kashif Moore
What we’re hearing: Unlike running back, Penn State Football is bubbling with young, blossoming talent in the wide receiver room.
Funny to say, and sure it must be proven on the field and through development, but receiver is one of the strongest units for the future on this roster, and not just on offense … but, the entire team.
This unique advantage allows wide receivers coach Kashif Moore to devise a plan that focuses on quality over quantity.
The good thing is, Penn State is already in great shape with two extremely intriguing commits already on board for 27.
So, who are the remaining names to know?
The Khalil Taylor Sweepstakes: Can NIL-heavy Colorado be fended off?
Khalil Taylor may be the most popular HS player in the state of Pennsylvania in Penn State circles.
Unfortunately, it’s been the same info being told to NittanyCentral as it has been with other outlets.
Penn State remains in a great position with Nebraska, Georgia, and Alabama lurking close behind. Colorado has been very aggressive NIL-wise, which keeps them firmly in the mix as well.
It is becoming evident that this staff understands how important a recruit Taylor is, so fans should feel optimistic, just not comfortable.
Taylor just recently described his relationship with Moore as ‘strong’ and shared that they talked frequently.
Meanwhile, Deshawn Hall has an official visit scheduled for June 5th with Penn State, and he remains saying all the right things, giving the staff confidence in his recruitment. But, in the end things seem to be trending towards Hall staying down south, most likely at Tennessee, which he doesn’t shy away from admitting is the clear-cut favorite.
Then there’s Isaiah Alavrez, who will take his OV on June 12th, making his way from New Jersey.
At one point, there was substantial buzz of mutual interest, and there still might be some.
However, Nebraska seems to be the favorite here.
West Coast Watch: Why Jaden Baldwin is the “wildcard” of the June OVs.
Finally, keep an eye on Jaden Baldwin, who will travel from Arizona for a Monday official visit on June 8th.
It sure sounds as though there is a lot of mutual interest here.
Colorado , Iowa State, and UNLV are the competitors for Penn State, and this is trending towards his commitment will come down to hs willingness to go to a school as far away from home as the Nittany Lions are.
Tight End: Chasing a Three-Man Class
What we’re hearing: It’s no secret Penn State Football wants to take two tight ends in the 2027 class.
Honestly, they’d probably prefer three.
With that appetite, there’s a ton of work left to be done, but the good news is they already took care of their entree with their top target, Cooper Terwilliger, committed.
Tight end recruiting is pretty simple due to the fact that there are three names to know, and we have known them for quite a while.
Let’s start with the least likely to likely.
Sean Currie has an official visit set up for June 19th on the Penn State campus.
The three-star and top-30 tight end and Penn State have mutual interest, but it seems both parties have even more interest elsewhere.
Since backing off from his Virginia pledge, Currie has had Ohio State and Texas A&M all over his recruitment.
Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt are also in the mix.
Flipping the Script: The latest on Bama-commit Colt Lumpris and Parker Newman’s rise
Colt Lumpris is a freak of an athlete and is currently committed to Alabama.
Lumpris is also taking a few official visits elsewhere, and he’ll take his Penn State one June 5th.
On3 BWIs Sean Fitz recently said Penn State was a possible favorite to flip his commitment.
Lumpris also has Michigan and Texas A&M scheduled, with Kentucky hanging around.
The third name to know may have the highest ceiling of them all, and is also most likely to land at Penn State.
Tennessee’s Parker Newman has skyrocketed up the recruiting rankings and, luckily for Penn State’s sake, has a great relationship with Nittany Lions tight end coach Taylor Mouser.
Duke cannot be discounted, and they are a real contender for sure considering Newman’s prioritized academics. However, there’s a strong chance Penn State gains his pledge, joining top-10 TE Cooper Terwilliger in the 2027 class.
Offensive Line: Penn State on a “Heater” on the Trail
What we’re hearing: Just like Coach Terry Smith is off to a hot start on defense with his corners room, offensive line coach Ryan Clanton and assistant offensive line coach Jackson Scott-Brown are on an absolute heater recruiting offensive linemen.
Not too many spots left, but these are the names Penn State would definitely take still.
Carter Jones Watch: Why the Nittany Lions have overtaken Clemson for the 4-star IOL.
If you asked anyone six months ago where 4-star and top-15 interior offensive lineman Carter Jones was likely headed, the vast majority would have said Clemson.
The Tigers are still contenders, and there’s still a possibility that’s where Jones ends up. But, fast forward to mid-May, and the favorite now is Penn State.
Georgia and Tennessee are also in the hunt, but for right now, there are plenty of reasons to buy this Nittany Lions hype, and believe it’s where he eventually lands. It may be sooner than first expected.
The Battle for von Brandt: Can Penn State Football stave off the Notre Dame “squeeze”?
Besides Jones, the remaining top targets are the once-committed Layton von Brandt and Missouri-born Kyler Kuhn.
Sources tell NittanyCentral that Notre Dame has put the squeeze on von Brandt, and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes Irish.
For a kid who was so detailed and process-oriented throughout his recruitment, it is shocking the 4-star OT would sacrifice his OVs to make sure he had a spot in Notre Dame’s class.
Something also to consider, though, is that insider Tyler Calvaruso just recently shared that he still believes Penn State is strongly in the mix.
As of now, this appears to be leaning towards Notre Dame wrapping this up.
Multiple sources have expressed that, and until further notice, there’s no reason to doubt them.
Clanton and Mouser plan on visiting von Brandt soon, so maybe that changes.
As far as Kyler Kuhn, the Midwest is where the monster 4-star OL will likely stay.
Nebraska, Iowa, and his home state of Missouri will battle it out, although Penn State has an official visit booked with Kuhn come June.
It has just been awfully quiet between Kuhn and Penn State, and that’s why it seems most likely that the talented offensive linemen plays elsewhere.
EXCLUSIVE: Meet The ‘Under the Radar’ QB Who Could Define Penn State’s 2027 Class
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He started a successful Penn State Football account on X a little over a year and a half ago.
Tapped into recruiting both regionally and nationally, Ed graduated Rowan University with a Journalism degree.
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