Penn State football closing in on blue-chip DL, top 100 prospect

When James Franklin hired Deion Barnes as the next defensive line coach for Penn State football there was some skepticism. But after a full cycle into the role, it’s easy to say Barnes has been a home run hire. Mostly, that’s because Barnes has not only been in the player’s shoes but he has done it at a high level for the Nittany Lions. Now, he looks to carry that momentum into the 2026 recruiting class but recruiting top-100 prospect JaReylan McCoy.

Top 100 prospects don’t come around every day on the recruiting trail. But when the Penn State football team is in the mix for one, they are in for a battle against the top schools. That’s where the Nittany Lions find themselves for 2026 recruiting class defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy.

The four-star prospect had his top 12 schools announced by Chad Simmons of On3 on Monday. He included schools such as LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Penn State, Aubrun, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota, Oregon, Arkansas, and Mississippi State.

McCoy is from Tupelo (Mississippi) and stands at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds. According to On3. McCoy is the No. 4 player in the state and the No. 4 defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle (No. 57 nationally). He has yet to make a trip to Happy Valley but he has taken six visits to Ole Miss. Ironically, they were not part of his top 12 schools.

2026 4-star DL JaReylan McCoy has announced his Top 12 schools.

Story: https://t.co/WuFiDhaGPU pic.twitter.com/hfORI9ehbR

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) July 15, 2024

Stacking the 2026 recruiting class

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Penn State football is already off to a screaming hot start with the 2026 recruiting class. The Nittany Lions hold two commits. One from Pennsylvania’s very own Messiah Mickens. The four-star running back from Harrisburg. Then, his lone classmate is quarterback Troy Huhn who also carries a four-star ranking. Huhn is a top-10 quarterback in the cycle from California.

If the Nittany Lions can get an addition as talented as McCoy to join the recruiting efforts the 2026 class will be in great hands. We’ve seen Deion Barnes close the deal with 2025 prospects such as Max Granville who has credited Barnes for having a role in his commitment.

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.”