Penn State is starting to make headway on the recruiting trail in a position of need.
On Friday evening, De’Andre Cook, a Class of 2024 defensive lineman out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, DC, committed to Penn State.
Penn State beat out Boston College, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Rutgers to land the commitment of Cook (6-foot-4, 260 pounds), who is the No. 79 defensive line prospect nationally and the No. 4 player in DC, according to 247Sports.
Cook has a thick build that allows him to play both defensive tackle and defensive end. He also plays on the offensive tackle for Friendship Academy.
He is more of a technician but also has speed and explosiveness, but is better suited right now to be a one-technique defensive tackle at the Power Five level.
Cook will need to work on his strength and add to his frame from now and when he enrolls at Penn State, but he has the frame to do so, and his tape shows him to be a high-ceiling player playing for new defensive line coach Deion Barnes.
Cook is the third player from the Washington, DC, area to commit to Penn State in the 2024 recruiting cycle, joining edge rusher Xavier Gilliam from West Lake High School (Columbia, MD) and Dajuan Lane safety out of Gillman High School (Baltimore, MD).
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