Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is climbing the rankings as official-visit season begins.
Some updates on Penn State football recruiting as the Nittany Lions dive deeper into the spring contact period. A major official visit is set for this weekend, a possible commitment is approaching, and there are some shifts in the recruiting rankings following the team’s newest addition.
Top prospect sets commitment date
Alexander Haskell, a three-star defensive lineman from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, has announced he’ll make his college decision on May 9. He revealed his final four schools on social media, which include Penn State, Michigan, Duke, and Syracuse.
Haskell, listed at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, is a three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and ranks as the No. 26 player in Pennsylvania. In addition to his finalists, he holds offers from Ohio State, Michigan State, and most recently, Pitt.
Penn State has been pursuing Haskell for nearly two years, having extended an offer back in June 2023. He plays for St. Joseph’s Prep, a key part of Penn State’s in-state recruiting approach and a powerhouse that’s claimed three straight Class 6A state championships. It’s also worth noting that the school is the alma mater of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Official visits underway
Penn State kicks off its official-visit season with a big-time visitor. Five-star cornerback Brandon Arrington from California is scheduled to be in State College for his official visit from May 2 to 4.
Arrington has included Penn State in his top five schools, along with Oregon, USC, Alabama, and Texas A&M. He has additional official visits lined up for June. A standout in the 2026 class, Arrington is considered one of the top prospects in the nation.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back out of Mount Miguel High School near San Diego is ranked as the No. 1 cornerback and top overall player in California by the 247Sports Composite. ESPN also ranks him as the No. 14 overall player and the top corner in the 2026 class.
Stan Drayton checks in on elite California RB
New running backs coach Stan Drayton is actively recruiting, recently stopping by Valencia High near Los Angeles to visit four-star running back Brian Bonner Jr. Bonner is a top-100 national recruit, per ESPN, and ranks among the top 10 running backs in the 2026 cycle, according to 247Sports.
Bonner has set an official visit to Penn State for June and also plans to visit Notre Dame, Nebraska, and UCLA. He has already made a trip to Washington.
Penn State’s latest recruiting rankings
Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class climbed to No. 5 nationally in the 247Sports Composite following a wave of recent commitments. The Nittany Lions have added five new pledges since April, the latest being four-star linebacker Terry Wiggins from Coatesville High School.
Wiggins’ commitment gives Penn State five of the top 10 in-state prospects for 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. That group includes quarterback Peyton Falzone, who committed in April. Overall, Penn State now holds 14 verbal commitments in its 2026 class.
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