BOOM: Penn State football lands second commitment of the day

In an eventful day for Penn State football, the team secured two commitments from promising recruits. The first commitment came from Deryc Plazz, a three-star composite lineman hailing from Florida. Shortly thereafter, the Nittany Lions added a second commitment, this time from Xavier Gilliam, a three-star EDGE player from Wilde Lake High School in Maryland. Gilliam, a highly sought-after regional target, represents a significant recruiting victory for Penn State, and his commitment comes at the onset of the official visit season.

Penn State football lands second commitment of the day

With the commencement of Penn State’s official visit season, anticipation was high among fans, and today proved to be an important day for the Nittany Lions. Following Deryc Plazz’s commitment earlier in the afternoon, Xavier Gilliam, a three-star defensive end from Maryland, became the second major recruit to pledge his commitment to Penn State.

Gilliam’s commitment brings the total number of hard commits in Penn State’s 2024 class to 16, a class that currently ranks among the top 10 in the nation. However, the team still trails both Michigan and Ohio State in the overall team rankings. According to the ON3 industry rankings, Gilliam is ranked as a three-star defensive end, sitting at No. 756 nationally, the 49th best at his position in his class, and the 19th-best recruit in Maryland.

Gilliam cited the impressive facilities and coaching staff as standout factors that influenced his decision to choose Penn State. This commitment signifies a significant recruiting success for the Nittany Lions, showcasing their early momentum during the summer recruiting period. While there is still a long way to go for James Franklin and the coaching staff, the foundation for one of Penn State’s strongest recruiting classes is already in place, and promising prospects lie ahead for the program.

“Just seeing their updated facilities and being around some of the players and seeing what they had to say about Coach Franklin and the whole coaching staff,” Gilliam said, according to to ON3. “I felt like I got a lot out of it.”

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