This is one in a series of stories breaking down each player on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Alex McPherson arrives at Penn State as a young edge defender whose size and flashes of pass-rushing ability make him an intriguing developmental piece.
At 6-foot-6 and 254 pounds, McPherson possesses the frame coaches look for on the edge. His first college season at Colorado gave him valuable Power Four experience and showed several ways he can contribute.
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 254 pounds
Previous School: Colorado
Eligibility: Sophomore
Before Penn State
High school: McPherson attended Martin County High School before transferring to IMG Academy in 2023.
He became one of IMG’s most productive defenders as a senior, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss. McPherson finished with 52 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, nine sacks, six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
That production followed a strong sophomore season at Martin County, where he recorded 53 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
McPherson was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN. Rivals ranked him as the No. 31 edge defender in his class.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Colorado: McPherson appeared in 10 games during the 2025 season, finishing with 16 tackles, six quarterback hurries, a half-sack, a half-tackle for loss and one blocked punt.
His best statistical stretch came during the middle of the season. He recorded four tackles against BYU, two solo stops at TCU and a season-high five tackles, including four solo, against Iowa State.
McPherson also made an early special-teams impact by blocking a punt against Delaware.
Pro Football Focus credited him with 211 defensive snaps. McPherson earned a 63.6 overall grade and a 65.6 pass-rushing grade while producing 10 pressures—one sack, two hits and seven hurries.
Where he stands: McPherson remains early in his development, but his combination of length, size and pass-rush potential gives Penn State something to develop.
He doesn’t arrive as a finished product. Still, he has meaningful college experience and has shown the ability to affect plays defensively and on special teams.
In Penn State’s new system, McPherson will have an opportunity to turn those flashes into a larger and more consistent role.
