This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State Football’s 2026 roster.
Freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas initially committed to Iowa State, but the three-star flipped to the Nittany Lions soon after new head coach Matt Campbell decided to move from Ames, Iowa to State College.
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Zayas has the type of frame one dreams about in an outside cornerback. He’s also displayed outsized athleticism and a nose for the football, returning an interception for a touchdown during his first live action with the Nittany Lions during the Blue-White practice in April.
Penn State has a reputation for developing great talent in the secondary and, while that means Zayas has plenty of older players to compete with as he tries to earn playing time, it also means he could turn into a star as his college career goes on. If Zayas gets on the field at all during his true freshman season, it’ll give a hint of how his time with the Nittany Lions could progress.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Hometown: Piscataway, N.J.
High School Career: Zayas earned a three-star rating as a recruit in high school, posting a 4.5 second 40-yard dash during his junior season. His high school tape shows plenty of athleticism, including this leaping interception as a junior. Zayas earned some initial buzz as a two-way player, but the Nittany Lions only have him listed at cornerback.
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Where he stands: Zayas already made a splash with the Nittany Lions, recording a pick-six during the Blue-White practice off fellow freshman Peyton Falzone this past spring. Cornerback is one of the more loaded positions on Penn State’s roster, but Zayas could prove his work ethic in practice and on special teams.
Once the depth chart clears in front of him, Zayas could develop into a multi-year starter in Happy Valley if he sticks around. He’s already shown a commitment to head coach Matt Campbell, initially committing to Iowa State.
