Signing Day is here, and soon, 26 players will officially join the Penn State football family.
The โ25 class has commits ranging from Tikey Hayes, who committed in Sept. 2023, to Brian Kortovich, who flipped his commitment from Purdue the day before signing day.
As usual, Penn Stateโs national recruiting ranking is solid. As of signing day morning, the class ranks No. 17 in the country per 247Sports, No. 15 per On3 and No. 16 on Rivals. This marks the 12th straight season under James Franklin that Penn State has had a top 25 class.
Follow along with each signing in real time in Nittany Sports Nowโs annual NSD Live File.
Update (11:11 a.m.)– Jahmir Joseph is next. The 6-foot, 185-pound CB from St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, is officially a Penn State player. Joseph is the No. 6 overall player in New Jersey.
“You had a dominant senior year,” Franklin said. “I don’t think people realize what a stud we’re getting.”
“You’re one of the best defensive backs in the country,” Zematis said. “I can’t wait ’till Nittany Nation finds out why they call you “Kryptonite.”
“I’m ‘Kryptonite’ to the receivers I would say,’ Joseph told Brian Tripp.
Update (11:02 a.m.)– Joshua Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound three-star safety from Ironton, Ohio, has signed. Johnson is the No. 17 player in Ohio per 247Sports.
Update (10:53 a.m.)–ย Penn State recruits New Jersey well. Braz Thomas could be next in line. The three-star safety has made it official.
Update (10:44 a.m.)–ย One of the best players in PA who had been committed to former Penn State DC Manny Diaz and Duke has made it official. Cameron Smith, the 6-foot, 200-pounder from Philadelphiaโs St. Josephโs Prep is the No. 5 player in the state, the No. 19 linebacker in the country and the No. 199-player nationally per 247Sports.
“I know Penn State is going to be getting a freak athlete at the linebacker position,” Zematis said. “But most important, we’re getting a quality human being.”
“You gave us an opportunity to make a comeback in the fourth quarter,” Franklin said, referring to Smith being committed to Duke, “and we got it done.”
Updated (10:34 a.m.)– The son of one of Penn Stateโs greatest all-time players has now made it official. LaVar Arrington II is a four-star LB from Charter Oak High School in Covina, California. Heโs the No. 9 LB from his class per 247 along with the No. 11 overall player in the state and the No. 127 player in the country.
“Good thing you got your genes from Mom,” Franklin joked.
But in all seriousness, Franklin feels Arrington II has potential that’s “through the roof.”
“It’s time to start your own legacy now,” recruiting coordinator Alan Zematis told Arrington II.
“We would be recruiting you whether that was your Dad or not,” Franklin said.
Another Penn State legend announced Arrington’s signing: Micah Parsons.
So what is Penn State getting in Arrington the younger?
“Somebody willing to work hard and contribute to the team,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to win a national championship.”
What does Arrington have to do to earn the famous No. 11.
“Don’t be late,” he said. “Just work hard, show up early. That’s really it.”
Update (10:22 a.m.)–ย Another Pittsburgh guy has signed. Itโs Alex Tatsch, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound LB from Latrobe High School in the Pittsburgh Area. Heโs the No. 7 player in PA per 247Sports.
Tatsch’s father, ironically, is in Oregon. Penn State plays Oregon in Saturday’s Big Ten championship game.
“You better be scouting,” Franklin joked.
The Pittsburgh Kid was introduced by Pittsburgh Steelers tight end and former Penn State player Pat Freiermuth.
“Make sure you always represent the Steel City well,” Freiermuth said.
Franklin then said he believes Tatsch is the “most under-appreciated linebacker in the country.
“The rankings are fine and they’re nice,” Franklin said. “But we know what we have.”
Tatsch said his favorite Steeler growing up was Troy Polamalu. He also liked Ryan Shazier.
Update (10:09 a.m.)ย Penn State has become known for developing defensive linemen, and Yvan Kemajou could be next in line. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder from Paint Beach High School in Burnsville, Maryland, is the No. 7 overall player in the state of Maryland per 247Sports, as well as the No. 21 DL and No. 188 overall player.
“Your improvement from last year to this year was dramatic,” Franklin said. “I would make the argument one of the most improved players in the country.”
Current Penn State defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard formally introduced the signing.
J-Thomas also made a cameo in the warroom.
“It’s all smiles right now,” he said. “But once you get here, it’s going to be all work. I know you’ll be ready for it.”
Update (9:54 a.m.)– The next signee is one of Penn State football’s most recent commits. Chaz Coleman committed to Penn State in early November and has made it through until Signing Day. Coleman is the No. 12 player in the state of Ohio per 247 and the No. 32 EDGE in the country.
Former Penn State and current Baltimore Raven defensive end Adisa Isaac announced the signing.
“You just blew up,” Franklin said when talking about Coleman’s recruitment. “There’s so much love and support surrounding you that you have no choice but to be successful.”
Recruiting coordinator Alan Zematis told Coleman he was impressed by a dunk in a recent basketball game for Warren G. Harding High School.
Update (9:45 a.m.)–ย Randy Adirika has signed with Penn State. Adirika 6-foot-3, 285-pound four-star DL from Florida’s Miami Central High School.
Update (9:39 a.m.)–ย Up next is Cortez Harris. Harris is a four-star, 6-foot-4, 230-pound EDGE from Riverside Baptist High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 247Sports has him as the No. 12 overall player in the state.
Franklin predicted that Harris will be a “monster” at Penn State.
Update (9:28 a.m.)–ย One of the WPIALโs best players is officially a Penn Stater. Dayshaun Burnett, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Pittsburghโs Imani Christian High School, is a four-star recruit whoโs the No. 8 player in PA from his class per 247Sports.
Franklin remembered seeing Burnett’s father jackhammering in the parking lot. He also recalled meeting a younger Burnett in 2022 while he was still a sophomore and is proud of the young man he’s become.
Former Penn State and current Atlanta Falcons DE Arnold Ebiketie formally announced the signing.
“I’m looking forward to watching you chase down quarterbacks for many years to come,” Ebiketie told Burnett via satellite.
Update (9:18 a.m.)– This guy flipped his commitment from Purdue to Penn State the day before signing day. It’s Brian Kortovich, a four-star TE from Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s in Cleveland.
Former Penn State tight end and current Jacksonville Jaguar Brenton Strange announced the signing.
Update (9:05 a.m.)– Penn Stateโs lone Class of 2025 QB commit, Bekkem Kritza, a 6-foot-5, 200-pounder from Chaminade-Madonna in Florida, has signed.
Former Penn State QB and current Green Bay Packer Sean Clifford formally announced Kritza’s signing.
“They pretty much do everything,” Kritza said about Penn State’s offense. “They put the ball in the hands of the best players, and when you do that, I feel like you have a chance to win every single time. I feel like that fits well with my game.”
Update (8:56 a.m.)–ย ย Penn Stateโs next signee is Jabree Coleman, a four-star RB from Philly. Coleman is the No. 5 player in PA per 247Sportsโ composite rankings.
Coleman had been committed to Georgia but switched to Penn State in June.
Coleman’s 5-year-old brother told James Franklin he wanted to be on the sideline.
“Understand this,” Franklin said. “In 12 years, if you get to work, you’re not only going to be on the sidelines, you’re going to be wearing a Penn State jersey.
Coleman was introduced by none other than Saquon Barkley.
Update (8:45 a.m.)–ย A star at the WPIALโs flagship school has made it official. Tikey Hayes is a 5-foot-10, 185 pound RB from the famous Aliquippa High School. Heโs the No. 18 player in PA per 247.
Current Penn State running backs Nicholas Singleton and Quinton Martin (another WPIAL product from Belle Vernon) announced the signing.
“I think you’re the most under appreciated running back in the country,” Franklin said. “Your ability as a runner, your ability as a receiver, the impact you have on your team. You’re the whole package.”
Update (8:33 a.m.)– Penn Stateโs top-receiver commit has made it official. Matthew Outten, a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, is the No. 10 receiver in the country per 247Sports.
Franklin feels Outten is the “whole package” as both a player and person.
He joked that Outten “broke his heart” when he committed to Virginia Tech, but eventually, they were able to “bring (Outten) home.
“We have big plans for you,” Franklin said.
Allen was introduced by Penn Stat receiving great Allen Robinson.
Update (8:24 a.m.)– Another receiving prospect has made it official. Itโs Koby Howard. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound three-star from Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood Florida committed to Penn State in August.
“He’s so ready to go,” Howards mother said on the stream.
“I’m ready to work,” Howard said.
“For us to be able to go to Florida and get one of the most prominent players in the state from one of the best programs as well, that’s important,” James Franklin said. “I think you’re going to flourish here at Penn State.”
Update (8:15 a.m.)– One of Penn State footballโs 2025 receiver commits has made it official. Jeff Exioner Jr., a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from the McDonough School in Owings Mills, Maryland, is the No. 17 receiver in the county per 247Sports. Now, he’s officially a Penn State player.
A fellow former McDonough star and future Penn State player, Curtis Jacobs, announced the signing.
“The McDonough connection,” Jacobs said. “The best connection in recruiting.
Other Penn State players, such as current defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton and Dvon J-Thomas, played at McDonough.
Update (8:06 a.m.)–ย Lyrick Samuel, ย a receiver commit from Brooklyn, is Penn Stateโs next signee. Samuel is the No. 1 overall player in the state of New York per 247Sports.
Update (7:52 a.m.)– Up next isย Owen Aliciene, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound OL whoโs the No. 2 player in Connecticut per 247Sports.
Introducing Aliciene was former Penn State and current New England Patriots OL Caedan Wallace.
Aliciene also plays lacrosse.
“I picked the up my freshman year,” he told Brian Tripp. “They called us the ‘700 pound defense.’ Me and four other o-linemen.”
So what’s Aliciene looking forward to?
“Just learning more about the game,” he said. “This is only my third year playing football, so I have a lot to learn.”
Update (7:44 a.m.)–ย Back to the line. Michael Troutman, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound OL from DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne New Jersey has made it official. Troutman committed to Penn State this past February.
Former academic Heisman winner and Penn State/Baltimore Ravens OL John Urschel was the one who introduced the signing.
Update (7:34 a.m.)–ย Another Pittsburgh guy, North Catholicโs OโHara has signed with Penn Sttae. ย He mainly played TE at North Catholic but plans on playing OL in college.
“Enjoy today,” coach James Franklin told O’Hara. “Then wake up in the morning and get your ass to work.”
Update (7:27 a.m.)Penn State footballโs highest-rated commit is now a signee. ย Goodman, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound OL from New Jerseyโs Paramus Catholic, is the No. 4 offensive lineman in the county from his class per 247Sports and the No. 86 overall player.
Penn State great LT Olu Fashanu introduced Goodman’s signing.
Update (7:21 a.m.)–ย Penn Stateโs next signee is Pittsburgh Central Catholic star Xxavier Thomas. Thomas, a 5-foot-10, 165-pounder, is the No. 9 player in PA per 247Sports.
Franklin told Thomas to prepare for Central Catholic’s state title game in the short term, but that he was going to be at Penn State “before you know it.”
Thomas is enrolling in January.
Update (7:15)โย Penn State is becoming a tight end factory, and Matt Henderson could be next in line. The four-star, 6-foot-5, 210-ponder from Virginiaโs Powhatan High School plans on coming in the summer, he told NSN. Henderson is the No. 22 tight end in the country and the No. 12 player from Virginia per 247Sports.
Henderson was introduced by former Penn State TE and current Bengal Mike Gesicki.
“It’s been a long journey, man,” TE coach Ty Howle said. “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, man, but there’s nothing more than wanting you to be great. I know you want to be great. Can’t wait to get started.”
