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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football Misses on Top 2025 Recruit to Big Ten Rival

Penn State Football

Penn State Football will open its 2024 season on the road at West Virginia on Saturday, August 31st, and the Nittany Lions expect to be one of the best teams in the country this year.

Even though everyone in Happy Valley is focused on this upcoming year, the coaches and recruiting staff are still trying to build up their roster for years down the road. On Thursday night, Penn State lost out on a five-star player.

Penn State Football, James Franklin, Penn State Football Recruiting
Penn State Nittany Lions Head Coach James Franklin (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Five Star defensive end Iose Epenesa chose Iowa over Penn State, Miami, Utah, Missouri, and other programs.

According to 247sports.com, Epenesa is the third-ranked defensive lineman and 16th overall player in the 2025 class and is the little brother of former Iowa and current Buffalo Bills star A.J. Epenesa.

Iose father, Eppy Epenesa, played defensive tackle for the Hawkeyes in the ’90s, and Iose’s brother, Eric, is a current walk-on linebacker at the program.

It wasn’t much of a shock that Iose would choose Iowa and follow in his family’s footsteps, so Penn State fans shouldn’t be angry they missed out on the star defensive lineman.

The Nittany Lions currently have two defensive linemen ranked inside the 247sports 2025 defensive lineman class, with three-star Yvan Kemajou ranked 67th and three-star Randy Adirika ranked 121st.

MORE: Lavar Arrington’s Scouting Report of Incoming Penn State LB Lavar Arrington II

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Penn State Football Misses on Top 2025 Recruit to Big Ten Rival
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