Five-star target picks Big Ten foe over Penn State

Recently, Penn State football has experienced its trials on the recruiting trail, missing out on several of the program’s top targets over the last month. A decision from another coveted prospect went against the Nittany Lions on Thursday, with five-star Georgetown Prep (MD) offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho announcing his commitment to Oregon. 

While a blow to the Nittany Lions, the move was widely expected after Iheanacho named the Ducks his frontrunner this spring. Auburn and LSU were also in his final four. 

“I feel good about them and this visit really helped Penn State a lot,” Iheanacho said about the Nittany Lions following his official visit last month. 

🚨BREAKING🚨 Five-Star Plus+ OT Immanuel Iheanacho has committed to Oregon🦆

Read: https://t.co/gST52SIQS2 pic.twitter.com/h0pOxs8PS1

— Rivals (@Rivals) July 3, 2025

Penn State has struggled recruiting Maryland in the 2026 cycle, a state that is typically a solid source of talent for James Franklin and his staff. The Nittany Lions also missed on edge rusher Zion Elee, who, along with Iheanacho, are two of the top five recruits in the country for the class. 

In June, Penn State fell short with top 50 prospects Joey O’Brien and Khary Adams, and lost a commitment from four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone. While recently dropping out of the top 10, the Nittany Lions’ 23-man class is still ranked among the top 15 nationally. 

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