Who’s Next in the Middle? Top 2027 DTs on Penn State’s Radar
Who are some of the top Defensive Tackle prospects for Penn State Football in the class of 2027? Today I will cover that question and break down where the Nittany Lions stand with all of their Defensive Tackle prospects in the class of 2027. In case you missed it, yesterday, I looked at Penn State’s 2027 Edge Rusher targets. Today is the Defensive Tackle targets.
In Region Names to Know in the Trenches
There are 5 mainstay targets in the middle of the Defensive Line for Penn State in this class. 3 of these mainstays are well within Penn State’s traditional region for recruiting. Surely more names will emerge, some will fall off the train, others will remain. But, right now there are 5 key prospects to focus on. Here are three close to Penn State.
Probably the best and most realistic target for the Nittany Lions at DT is Joseph Buchanan. Buchannon attends McDonogh in Baltimore, a school that has a great pipeline with Penn State established. He holds offers from Oregon, Michigan, Maryland, and others. Right now Buchanan’s recruitment appears wide open, but Penn State will look to land him.
Another blue chip DT target for Penn State is New Jersey product Aidan O’Neil. O’Neil plays at powerhouse, Don Bosco Prep and holds a lot of offers from some of the east coast’s best programs. O’Neil looks like the type of anchor in the middle of the Defensive Line that Penn State would welcome.
A second New Jersey native on Penn State’s radar is Lorenzo Tartamella. Similar to Aidan O’Neil, Tartamella holds a lot of offers from east coast programs like Penn State, Syracuse, Temple, Virginia, and others. There is a lot of time to see how this one shakes out, but right now, Tartamella is on the Nittany Lions’ radar.
Penn State Vying for 2 Out of Region Elites
The way I see it, I would file these two players in the catergory of “Penn State really wants, but would be a stunner if Penn State gets.” Not in the sense that these guys are too good for Deion Barnes and company, but rather that they are from out of region, with likely some huge NIL opportunities from power programs.
The first out of region target is Khing Thibodeaux. Out of Garland Texas, Thibodeaux is heavily mixed up with some national brands. Schools like Penn State, SMU, and Ole Miss have offered Thibodeaux. Interestingly, he has yet to earn an offer from programs like LSU, Texas, USC, and others despite taking visits there. Thibodeaux would be a great pull for Penn State if they could find a way to get him.
The other long shot Penn State target is Jon Ioane. Ioane, who, as far as I know, is not related to Penn State’s Vega Ioane, is one of the most dynamic prospects in the class of 2027. Playing high school ball in California, Ioane plays Quarterback, and Offensive and Defensive Line. Penn State has yet to land a visit from Ioane and he appears to be involved with USC and UCLA pretty heavily. But as we all know, things can change in this landscape of recruiting.
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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.