More encouraging Penn State football recruiting news as the nation’s top 2026 defensive end lists the Nittany Lions as a finalist for him.
2026 5-star defensive end Zion Elee from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland has released a top five of Penn State, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon.
Elee (6’3″, 220-pounds) is rated as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 by 247 Sports.
During his sophomore season, Elee collected 64 tackles, 24 for loss and 13 sacks for Joppa High School in Maryland. Following the school year, he transferred to St. Frances Academy.
FULL SEASON HIGHLIGHT TAPE CO’26 6”5 220lb DE
— Zion Elee (@D1zion26) November 24, 2023
Defensive line coach Deion Barnes has led the recruitment of Elee as Penn State was the third program to extend him an offer. Since then, this elite prospect has been to State College twice, back in March for a spring practice and then again in June to work out at a prospects camp with Barnes.
Following that camp, Elee had this to say to On3 Sports about Penn State’s defensive line coach.
Courtesy Zion Elee
“I liked how Coach Barnes helped me through the drills and corrected my mistakes after every rep,” said Elee. “He also fixed my stance. I like that he wants everything to be perfect and wants to get me there.”
Penn State football recruiting has a strong presence in Maryland and no doubt will use their last success story, Maryland native and Miami Dolphins No. 1 pick Chop Robinson when trying to lure in Elee.
