In recruiting news, Penn State is in the mix for a blue-chip Class of 2026 linebacker from Florida.
PSU has cracked the top eight of Adam Balogoun-Ali, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Penn State has plenty of competition for Balogoun-Ali.
Also in his top eight are Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky, Miami, Missouri, North Carolina and Oklahoma.
Balogoun-Ali has been a key contributor throughout his high school career. As a true freshman, he had 41 tackles (5 TFLs), two sacks and an interception per MaxPreps. He got better the next season, ending with 64 tackles (12 TFLs), a pick and a sack.
This past season, he ended with 56 tackles (four tackles for loss) and two sacks. He also contributed on offense, catching 14 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns.
Balgoun-Ali played his first three seasons at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach.
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Here’s the scouting report on Balgoun-Ali courtesy of 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins.
“Off-ball linebacker prospect with favorable testing data and a promising multi-sport profile that still has to put it all together. Enters senior year with no shortage of experience having gotten varsity snaps since he was a freshman. Explodes through contact and has had plenty of success shooting gaps and getting home on the blitz in one of the Sunshine State’s lower classifications. Athletic enough to handle drop coverage responsibilities and appears to have sound spatial awareness, which helps take away passing windows. Already pretty developed physically in the upper half and has flashed high-grade downhill burst, but needs to improve pad level and learn how to come to balance as a tackler while also trying to unlock some more flexibility. Owns some redeeming qualities at this stage and has what it takes to settle in as a multi-year starter at the Power Four level if he keeps progressing, but success on Saturdays and beyond will likely hinge on his ability to read and react.”
DOES PENN STATE HAVE A SHOT?
So does Penn State have a shot to land Balgoun-Ali? Well, it’s hard to say it doesn’t but right now, Penn State doesn’t appear to be the favorite. That title belongs to Kentucky, the only school to this point where Balgoun-Ali has an official visit scheduled (June 13-15).
Penn State currently has 10 players committed to its 2026 Class. Balgoun-Ali would be the first linebacker.
Recruiting: A Breakdown of Penn State Football’s Class of 2026 Commits
