In recruiting news, a five-star prospect has picked Maryland over Penn State.
Early Saturday afternoon, Zion Elee, a five-star Class of 2026 EDGE from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, picked his state school over Alabama, Oregon and Penn State, among others.
BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Zion Elee has Committed to Maryland, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6โ4 230 EDGE from Baltimore, MD chose the Terrapins over Oregon, Alabama, & Penn State
He is ranked as the No. 1 Recruit in 2026 (per On3)
โI had a dreamโhttps://t.co/iQoQIAdTYa pic.twitter.com/grqE1hhonW
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 7, 2024
Elee is the No. 2 overall player in the country from his class per 247Sports as well as the No. 1 EDGE in the nation and the No. 1 overall player in Maryland.
Ironically, his player comp per 247 is a guy Penn State fans know well and also was a Terp initially.
CHOP CHOP
Chop Robinson gets set to rush the passer.
Chop Robinson started at Maryland, where he played a season, and then transferred to Penn State.
Itโs Chop who 247Sportsโ Hudson Standish compared Elee to in his scouting report.
โOne of the more complete edge prospects in recent memory at this stage of the evaluation process ahead of his junior season. It feels as if he was built in a lab to get after the quarterback, verified hovering around 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with elite length measurements and a combine testing profile that could be mistaken for a field-stretching X receiver. Verified athletic markers are good enough to compare favorably against Top247 caliber senior edge rushers from the past two recruiting cycles. Outside of the athletic traits, has a natural feel for the position that allowed him to rack up 13 sacks in only nine games, even though his bag of pass-rushing moves isn’t deep at this stage of his development. Building blocks of his game are his lightning-quick first step, closing burst, and ideal reactionary athleticism. Laterally explosive and can quickly move gap-to-gap or chase down ball carriers from the weak side. Motor consistently runs hot, and there might not be a better edge rusher in the 2026 cycle at quickly redirecting to wrap up evasive quarterbacks. Currently works as more of a new-age speed rusher who can occasionally work speed to power, but owns the frame to put on weight and develop into a complete product while retaining the tools that make him unique. Will face a step up in competition as a junior after transferring from MPSSAA 1A program Joppatowne to Baltimore prospect factory St. Frances Academy. Should be viewed as a potential instant impact 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level who could eventually put on a show at the NFL Combine.โ
STILL A STRONG CLASS
Photo by Penn State Athletics: Messiah Mickens
Despite missing on Eleeโ for nowโ Penn State footballโs 2026 recruiting class is still going strong. It ranks No. 3 nationally per 247Sports.
The 2024 Penn State team has a big one Saturday night, taking on No. 1 Oregon for the Big Ten Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 on CBS
