One of Penn State football’s earliest commits of the revamped 2027 recruiting class has received an offer from an SEC school.
Zachary Gleason Jr., a three-star defensive back from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, announced via X Monday evening that he had received an offer from Kentucky.
Gleason was the second player to commit to Penn State’s Class of 2027 since Matt Campbell took over as coach.
The 6-foot, 170-pounder also held offers from schools such as Boston College, Cal, Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Pitt, Rutgers, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
In an exclusive interview with NSN, Gleason’s position coach at Central, Jon Hale, said he feels Gleason is underrated.
“I think he definitely is a kid that could get a fourth star,” Hale said… “I think he is undervalued a little bit.”
So what makes Gleason Penn State material?
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Well, he possesses a blend of physicality and technique that reminds Hale of Derek Stingley Jr., a first-team All-Pro with the Houston Texans.
Gleason’s game also extends to run support and corner blitzing, which Hale feels is reminiscent of another two-time first-team All-Pro, Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Gleason plans to have his skills sharpened by one of the best in the business, longtime PSU CB coach Terry Smith. Smith is a big reason Penn State has developed a pipeline both in the WPIAL in general and with Central Catholic.
Since 2024, former Central stars Anthony Speca, Peter Gonzalez and Xxavier Thomas have all signed with Penn State, and Gonzalez and Thomas are still there (Speca transferred to Purdue).
Gleason is one of 12 players committed to Penn State’s 2027 Class, with three of them– including teammate Jon Sassic— being from the WPIAL.
247Sports ranks Penn State’s class No. 8.
