In recruiting news, Penn State is trying to land the No. 1 EDGE rusher in America who’s committed to another Big Ten school.
Head coach James Franklin and safeties coach/co-DC Anthony Poindexter were in Maryland to visit Zion Elee, who’s committed to the University of Maryland.
— Zion Elee (@D1zion26) January 28, 2025
Elee is a big-time prospect.
247Sports has him as the No. 2 overall player in the country from the 2026 Class, as well as the No. 1 EDGE and the No. 1 overall player of Maryland. Although he comes from a state which has produced multiple PSU stars, Elee decided to stay in-state and commit to Maryland.
That’s his plan for now, anyway.
ANOTHER CHOP?
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 08: Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) runs out on the field before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets on December 8, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Per 247Sports’ Hudson Standish, Elee is reminiscent of Dolphins LB Chop Robinson, who is a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“One of the more complete edge prospects in recent memory at this stage of the evaluation process ahead of his junior season,” Standish wrote in May. “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.”
SPEAKING OF CHOP…
Chop Robinson gets set to rush the passer.
Speaking of Chop Robinson… he kinda went to Penn State after PSU’s initial recruiting miss.
He also kinda went to Maryland, where he transferred from after a year and became a PSU star
Will this be the path Elee takes? Who knows. But Penn State is certainly working to make it happen.
PSU currently has nine players committed to its 2026 Class and one (Daniel Jennings) is an EDGE prospect.
