Penn State football is a finalist for a blue-chip Class of 2026 QB.
PSU is one of 10 schools in the running for Jaden O’Neal, a four-star, 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Neal’s the No. 64 overall player in the 2026 Class, the No. 6 QB in the country and the No. 10 overall player in California.
Chad Simmons of On3Sportsreported Wednesday afternoon PSU is a finalist along with Arizona State, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma and Washington.
🚨NEWS🚨 2026 4-star QB Jaden O'Neal is down to 🔟 schools, he tells @ChadSimmons_‼️
O'Neal is the No. 6 QB in the 2026 class.
Read: https://t.co/2SRuAg8IyN pic.twitter.com/szQ3tiWhIA
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 19, 2024
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O’Neal has been on Penn State’sradar for a while, having been offeredin May 2022 when he was still in the eighth grade. Since then, he’sstarted his high school career and become a star. This past season, Oneal threw for 2,475 yards and 27 touchdowns, completing 61 percent of his passes playing for Newport Beach. Over the offseason, he transferred to Narbonne.
In a scouting report published this past April, Greg Biggins of 247Sports described O’Neal as“one of the best pure throwers in the ’26 class.”
“Game has taken a nice jump over the last year,” Biggins wrote,“and he has shined at multiple off-season events includingElite 11 Regional Camp and Under Armour Next Camp in March. Hasalways had a big arm and is probably the most accurate deep ball thrower out West right now, regardless of class. Hasleaned out, dropped close to 10 pounds in the off-season and is moving a lot more easily in and out of the pocket. Mechanically, has a prototype throwing motion, clean release and the ball jumps out of his hand. Isaccurate to all three levels of the fieldand throws well on the run. Wantto see improvehis escapability and ability to extend plays when he doesn’t have a clean pocket. High ceiling for surewith the raw talent to play for any Power 4 program.”
O’Nealis a player Penn State and its fans would love to have, but it appears Oklahoma is the heavy favorite. All six of 247Sports’“Crystal Ball” projections have him committing to OU.
