BREAKING: Penn State football lands the No. 1 player in West Virginia

For the second time today, the Penn State football team picked up a commitment. This time the Nittany Lions secured a pledge from Daniel Jennings in the 2026 recruiting class. Jennings is regarded as the No. 1 player in West Virginia and is the fifth player overall to make his commitment to Penn State in 2026.

Daniel Jennings received multiple predictions on Monday to end up with the Penn State football team. One coming from an RPM from Ryan Snyder of On3. The other was in the form of a crystal ball that was logged by Brian Dohn of 247Sports. On Wednesday evening, Jennings made those predictions a reality with his commitment to the Nittany Lions.

The Princeton (West Virginia) native held offers from West Virginia, UNLV, Illinois, Penn State, and several others. But ultimately decided to commit to the Nittany Lions. Happy Valley is the place he has visited the most during his recruitment with four trips logged according to On3. With his most recent trip to Penn State coming this past weekend.

Jennings earns his fourth star

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wednesday was an important day for Daniel Jennings and his college football career. But he also received his initial ranking from 247Sports. Before Wednesday, Jennings was unranked on the major recruiting outlet.

Now, on 247Sports he holds a four-star ranking where he is regarded as the No. 1 player in West Virginia and the No. 22 edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting class (No. 227 nationally). Meanwhile, On3 gives Jennings a three-star ranking where he is the No. 1 player in the state and the No. 14 edge rusher in the 2026 cycle (No. 183 nationally).

Jennings is the first defensive prospect to commit to the 2026 class for Penn State football. He joins Messiah Mickens, Troy Huhn, Jahsiear Rogers, and Kevin Brown who all play on the offensive side of the ball.

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