Penn State football 2025 target decommits from Alabama

Decisions continue to be made for the top talent in the 2025 recruiting class. A familiar face to the Penn State football team has re-opened his recruitment. Four-star athlete Zymear Smith has decommitted from Alabama and continues to search for his college home. Now, the Nittany Lions can reconnect with this dynamic playmaker.

Zymear Smith is a 5-11 170-pound athlete in the 2025 recruiting class. From Denton (Maryland) Smith verbally committed to Kalen DeBoer and Alabama on March 9. Since that time, Penn State has accumulated significant talent in the 2025 recruiting class. On, Wednesday, Hayes Fawcett of On3 announced that Smith had decommitted from Alabama.

Listed as an athlete, Smith ranks as the No. 8 player in Maryland and the No. 14 ATH (No.326 nationally) according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He has logged two visits to Happy Valley during his recruitment. The first was on November 11 and his most recent visit was on January 20.

According to 247Sports, Smith plays both sides of the ball. But his talent appears to shine as a running back. He logged 670 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns last season for North Caroline High School.

BREAKING: Four-Star ATH Zymear Smith has Decommitted from Alabama, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 5’11 170 ATH from Ridgley, MD had been Committed to the Crimson Tide since March

Holds a total of 21 Offers

https://t.co/PYePsjGiGX pic.twitter.com/5cVFK9flL2

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 3, 2024

Assistant coaches pulling their weight for the Nittany Lions

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

When James Franklin assembled his coaching staff he instilled a certain level of trust with each coach. Every coach on Franklin’s staff needs to be able to provide value and evaluate talent. Most recently former Nittany Lion DE and current DL coach Deion Barnes has provided that value on the recruiting trail.

2025 blue-chip edge rusher and Penn State commit, Max Granville has expressed what makes Barnes special.

I want a coach who isn’t afraid to get after me when I need it,” Granville said. “That’s what I need to get better, coach Barnes is going to bring the best of out me.”

It’s not just Barnes who has been able to provide value this offseason. Terry Smith has stacked talent with Daryus Dixson, Jahmir Joseph, and Antonio Booker all committing in June. Ja’Juan Seider lost a running back commit in Alvin Henderson in June, however, he quickly backfilled the missing piece with Jabree Wallace-Coleman.

It takes an army to build a college football program, but one thing is certain, James Franklin has the right coaches on his side to help recruit top talent.

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