BREAKING: Penn State football lands international specialist for third commit of weekend

After a slow start to June, Penn State football picked up the pace on the recruiting trail with a pair of commitments on Friday. Now, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are adding a third pledge in the last 24 hours, this time with a little flavor from across the pond.

On Saturday, Penn State earned a commitment from 2026 kicker/punter Adam McCann-Gibbs out of Abbey CBS Grammar School in Newry, Northern Ireland. McCann-Gibbs was in the United States last weekend for the Nittany Lions’ final camp of the summer. 

With a background in soccer and Gaelic football, McCann-Gibbs started working with NFL International Player Pathway kicking and punting coach Tadhg Leader last year. Leader has a connection to the Penn State staff through new special teams analyst Allen Tucker, who coached Irish kicker Paddy McAteer while at Troy.

100% committed ‼️

I’m thrilled to announce that I have commited to @PennStateFball on a full scholarship.

Huge thanks to @coachjfranklin @CoachLustig @_Coach_Tuck @CoachLang22.

This would not have been possible without @TadhgLeader, allowing me to make this dream come true.… pic.twitter.com/MeV09wNqjz

— Adam Gibbs (@AdamMcCG) June 28, 2025

With the commitment, Penn State football is up to 23 pledges in the 2026 cycle. Edge Jackson Ford and offensive lineman Jack Fuchs joined the class on Friday. The Nittany Lions have the No. 8 class nationally per 247Sports.

As a 16 year old, here is his first kickoff on American Soil; 74 yards – 4.16 hang

and a 65 yard FG @AdamMcCG pic.twitter.com/GuObG3PCdm

— Tadhg Leader (@TadhgLeader) June 11, 2025

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