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Penn State Adds Four-Star Lineman Chimdy Onoh to 2023 Class

Onoh becomes the third blue-chip lineman Penn State has signed in the 2023 cycle.

Published

2 months ago

February 1, 2023

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches game action against the Utah Utes during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State closed its 2023 recruiting class with a bang on National Signing Day by inking four-star offensive tackle Chimdy Onoh. The Dundalk, Maryland prospect was one of the highest priorities for James Franklin’s staff during the second signing period, and it paid off with Onoh joining the Nittany Lions’ class during a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

What does Chimdy Onoh bring to Penn State?

Previously committed to Old Dominion, Chimdy Onoh became highly coveted after he decided not to sign with a school during the early signing period in December. Penn State beat out several other programs for Onoh’s signature, including Michigan State, Ole Miss, and Rutgers.

Onoh is the 14th-ranked offensive tackle in the country for the class of 2023, according to On3’s consensus database. A top-five prospect from the state of Maryland this cycle, Onoh was given a four-star rating by On3 and 247 Sports and a three-star rating by Rivals.

Onoh already has a robust frame, measuring 6-5 and weighing 270 pounds. Despite his size, Onoh has displayed great athleticism at the high school level, standing out as a basketball player and winning the Maryland 4A state championship in shot put and discus in 2022. The key to Onoh’s success at Penn State will have to be his ability to maintain this athleticism while also adding more bulk.

Stacking Classes

The commitment from Chimdy Onoh is the latest success during several impressive recruiting classes for Penn State on the offensive line.

In 2020, the Nittany Lions signed three-star Olu Fashanu, who quickly developed into a potential top-ten pick in the NFL Draft after making only nine starts in his career. Fashanu’s decision to return to college for another season is a significant boost for Penn State, as he figures to be the offensive line’s anchor in 2023.

Penn State has signed five four or five-star offensive line prospects over the last three cycles. Landon Tengwall (four-star) was the headliner of the 2021 class and started five games in his redshirt freshman season this fall before being sidelined with an injury. The Nittany Lions added another four-star in Drew Shelton during the 2022 cycle. Shelton provided substantial depth for an injury-plagued line unit this season, starting four games, including the Rose Bowl.

But Penn State’s most significant haul of offensive linemen comes in the current cycle. Onoh now becomes the third four-star or higher lineman James Franklin’s staff has signed in 2023. He joins five-star Jven Williams and four-star Alex Birchmeier, the number one overall recruits in Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively.

Most importantly, the Nittany Lions are not slowing down any time soon. The Lions already have two other four-stars committed for the two subsequent cycles. Cooper Cousins, rated as the third-best player in Pennsylvania for the class of 2024, has been committed for over a year. Penn State also added its first commitment for the 2025 cycle earlier this week when Jaelyne Matthews – the top-ranked recruit from New Jersey – announced his intentions to come to Happy Valley.

Shot Across the Bow?

In the short term, signing Chimdy Onoh is noteworthy because he will add significant talent and depth up front. His commitment also serves as a great way to bookend the class of 2023.

But at a higher level, Onoh’s commitment should come as a statement. With most of its line talent coming from Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, Penn State is quickly becoming a destination for the top linemen in the Mid-Atlantic. And that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon.

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Penn State football picks up commitment from top 50 tight end

The Nittany Lions kicked off a big recruiting weekend with a huge tight end commitment.

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2023

CJ Mangum

Penn State football lands top 50 tight end

Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Brenton Strange (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Saturday, the Penn State Nittany Lions received some more great news on the recruiting trail. Luke Reynolds, a top 50 tight end from Connecticut, has officially announced his commitment to play for Penn State football.

HOME.📍

The next ACE ♠️ in the deck. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/EvGHZK9KY1

— Luke Reynolds (@reynolds12_luke) March 25, 2023

Penn State football lands commitment from top 50 tight end recruit

Luke Reynolds is a three-star, top 50 tight end in the 2024 recruiting class, and is a massive addition to the newest Penn State football recruiting class. The Nittany Lions now have five commits in their 2024 class, with Reynolds being the first tight end in the cycle.

According to On3, Luke Reynolds is a three star recruit and ranks as a top 50 tight end. Reynolds is ranked as the No. 33 tight end and the No. 8 player in Connecticut and had a solid list of offers to pair with his talent. Reynolds should fit into Penn State’s offensive scheme quite nicely — he stands at 6-foot–4 and weighs in at 215 pounds making him an ideal passing target and a sizable blocker; Penn State football can utilize both of these attributes.

While Reynolds is not the highest rated guy in the class, he is a massive pickup for the Penn State football team, and will make a great addition to the offense when he get on campus next fall.

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Penn State football to host No. 1 player in Pennsylvania on Monday

The Nittany Lions could lock down the top player in the state during his visit on Monday.

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2023

CJ Mangum

Penn State football No. 1 player in Pennsylvania

Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — To kick off next week’s recruiting events, the Penn State Nittany Lions will be hosting a major recruit. Quinton Martin, the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, will be making a return trip to state college for his eighth visit with Penn State football. For James Franklin and his staff, next Monday’s visit marks a massive opportunity to haul in a commitment from the four-star athlete.

No. 1 player in Pennsylvania to visit Penn State football on Monday

It is rare to find a recruit that all four major recruiting outlets agree on, though Quinton Martin is exactly that. 247 Sports, On3, Rivals, and ESPN all rank Martin as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the industry rankings have Martin ranked as the No. 41 player in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 3 athlete in the country, and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Pennsylvania. Right now, 247 has no crystal balls for Martin’s recruitment; however, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Penn State football a 46.3% chance of landing his commitment all said and done. The next-highest school is Pitt (20.5%).

For Penn State football, locking down Quinton Martin is a must. One of the Nittany Lions’ recruiting slogans is “The best in PA, stay in PA,” and if Penn State wants to keep in that way, landing the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania should be top priority. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound athlete will be making his eighth trip to Happy Valley, so the time to finalize his commitment is drawing near for Franklin’s staff.

As spring and summer recruiting get into full swing for the Penn State football team, the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly be looking to close things out with the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and add many more key players to its newest recruiting class.

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Penn State football looking to lock down one of its top 2024 targets this weekend

The Nittany Lions are looking to reel in a major commitment during a huge recruiting weekend.

Published

2 days ago

March 24, 2023

CJ Mangum

2024 Penn State football target Nittany Lions

Oct 12, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — This weekend will be massive for Penn State’s recruiting, and it could even see a key commitment for James Franklin’s Nittany Lions. Jaylen Harvey, a major 2024 Penn State football target, will be in town visiting the program for the seventh time in his recruitment, and with spring and summer recruiting in full swing now, expect the Nittany Lions to be making a massive push to wrap up his recruitment this weekend.

Top 2024 Penn State football target to visit State College this weekend

Jaylen Harvey is undoubtedly a top 2024 Penn State football target as he has regional ties and is a highly-touted prospect. Harvey is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound defensive end prospect, and according to all four major recruiting outlets, he is a four-star 2024 Penn State football target. Harvey is an ESPN 300 recruit, ranking No. 218 in the nation; he also ranks as the No. 18 EDGE, and the No. 7 player in the state of Maryland for the 2024 recruiting class.

So far, every recruiting insider expects Harvey to sign with Penn State all said and done — 100% of 247’s crystal balls are for the Nittany Lions, and the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Penn State football a 92.7% chance of locking the 2024 four-star EDGE player down.

Harvey likes Penn State, now it’s up to the staff to land a commitment

This weekend’s visit will be crucial for the Nittany Lions — not only is it the seventh time that this major 2024 Penn State football target will be in State College, but it will also be his first time spending time with Deion Barnes since he was promoted to defensive line coach recently. From what we know, Harvey has loved his time with Penn State thus far, and spirits are high as far has his recruitment to Happy Valley goes.

“I like Penn State a lot,” he told On3 in January. “My interest is very high in them. My relationship with the coaches, how they make me feel like a top recruit and the way they develop edge rushers have them up there. The way I feel there and how they coach guys like me up makes Penn State a program I would love to be a part of.”

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