Penn State football adds top ranked 2024 class on early National Signing Day

Today is early National Signing Day for all college football recruits in the 2024 recruiting class. For the Penn State football team, this means high school players taking the first step in their dream of suiting for the Blue and White. The 2024 class for James Franklin currently holds 25 hard commits ranked 14th in the country according to 247Sports, many of whom committed this morning. So, who are the Nittany Lions expected to sign on National Signing Day this morning?

National Signing Day: The headliners of the Penn State football 2024 recruiting class

Not to take anything away from players who are not mentioned in this section of the article, but these players are highly-ranked gems for the Nittany Lions. They are most likely going to contribute immediately either in 2024 or 2025. Note: this is not in order of how the players were signed on National Signing Day.

Luke Reynolds

The lone five-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting class for Penn State, Reynolds is the No. 1 player in Connecticut and the No. 1 ranked tight end in the country. His ranking skyrocketed during 2023, and he has a legitimate chance to see the field next season.

Quinton Martin

A true Swiss army knife, Martin can do it all for Penn State. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands as a kick returner, punt returner, running back, and or wide receiver. It appeared that he would likely play running back for the Nittany Lions but with the issue at wide receiver, don’t be shocked if Martin sees time at wide receiver in 2024. He is also the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania according to 247sports.

Ethan Grunkemeyer

Penn State football fans will want to get familiar with Grunkemeyer as he is the class’s lone quarterback commit. He trains with the same quarterback coach as Drew Allar (Brad Maendler) and is from Ohio. He can spin the pill and could be the next great QB in Happy Valley.

Corey Smith

James Franklin dipped into Wisconsin for a few prospects in this class but none more dynamic than running back Corey Smith. With blazing speed this four-star recruit could backfill the gap Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will leave when they leave for the NFL either in 2024 or 2025.

Liam Andrews 

This former offensive line prospect clarified his true position this summer. Andrews will play defensive line in college. At 6’5, 260 pounds, he’s the ideal size that the Nittany Lions need to help stop the run in the future. He is the No. 2 player in Massachusetts in the 2024 class.

Cooper Cousins

The class leader for the Nittany Lions. Cousins has been the most loyal commitment and the longest-tenured commit. An offensive lineman who has the flexibility to play guard or tackle at the next level Cousins trails only Quinton Martin as the No. 2 prospect in PA.

Don’t sleep on the other class members

While these players might not be listed as National Signing Day headliners, that doesn’t take their value away from the class. Each of these players has the chance to turn heads during Spring Ball or Fall Camp in 2024 to find their way on the field next season.

Jon Mitchell

The brother of wide receiver Chris Mitchell, who transferred from FIU to Notre Dame this offseason, football is in Mitchell’s family. Jon plays cornerback and could see the field next season if he shows out in practice.

Garrett Sexton

This 2024 recruiting class has tons of offensive line talent. But no one has a higher ceiling than Garrett Sexton. The No. 1 player in Wisconsin, Sexton, has a chance to be special. He may just need a year to develop and fill out his frame.

Dejuan Lane

One of the top prospects in Maryland, Lane is listed as an ATH but will likely play safety at Penn State. A player with track-like speed, he could be the next ball hawk in the secondary. He also played linebacker so it will depend on his fit at PSU.

Vaboue Toure

A true safety from New Jersey, Toure has the natural ball skills you’d want to see in a safety. On film, he isn’t afraid to make a tackle in open space either.

Xavier Gilliam

This defensive line prospect was part of an outstanding run that Deion Barnes went on during the summer of 2023. Gilliam is listed as an edge, but he could also play defensive tackle at Penn State as he is listed at 265 pounds.

Jaylen Harvey

One of the more stressful commitments that the Penn State football team waited for in recent memory. But they were happy to secure this rising star defensive lineman. Harvey has the chance to be a game wrecker at the next level.

Anthony Speca

The next great member of LBU could be Anthony Speca. From Pittsburgh, PA Speca has the potential to follow the footsteps of Abdul Carter, Tyler Elsdon, and Dom DeLuca as linebackers from Pennsylvania.

T.A Cunningham

You want to compete in the big ten and consistently stop the run? You sign players like T.A. Cunningham. Listed at 6’6 275 pounds, Cunningham should be a force to be reckoned with at Penn State.

Donovan Harbour

Another Wisconsin prospect. Harbour played high school football with Corey Smith. He was a four-star recruit but slipped down to a three-star this fall. He has work to do but could be a great offensive lineman with development.

Josiah Brown

One of if not the top wide receiver prospects in the 2024 recruiting class. Brown suffered a lower-body injury this fall that could linger into next season. But get excited about his hands and speed.

Peter Gonzalez

A wide receiver from Pittsburgh, PA Gonzalez has already developed chemistry with PSU WR coach Marques Hagans. Gonzalez recovered from a knee injury, and this fall showed how dominant he can be on the field.

Tyseer Denmark

A one-time Oregon commit, Denmark chose to stay close to home by flipping his commitment to Penn State. Another dynamic wide receiver from Philadelphia, PA.

Mylachi Williams

A defensive end from Pennsylvania, something that Deion Barnes can relate to. Williams is explosive and athletic enough to see the field in his near future.

De’Andre Cook

At 6’4, 260 pounds, Cook is another example of the type of defensive lineman that James Franklin wants to recruit moving forward.

Caleb Brewer

Listed as an athlete who played tight end in high school, Brewer will likely play on the offensive line at Penn State. He attended the same high school as current Nittany Lion J’ven Williams.

Eagan Boyer

A 6’7 offensive tackle prospect. Boyer will need a year or two to develop his skillset, but the size is there. He just needs to get up to speed with the college level.

Kenneth Walker

A three-star cornerback from Philadelphia, PA. Keeping the top defensive backs in PA is always a goal for James Franklin, he did that again with Walker.

Kari Jackson

Jackson has been committed to the Nittany Lions for almost a full year. He will need time to develop, but this linebacker could be special.

Antonie Belgrave-Shorter

High school teammate of fellow class member Jon Mitchell, Belgrave-Shorter also plays defensive back and could be the class’s hidden gem for James Franklin.

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