BREAKING: Penn State football misses on another blue-chip WR

The Penn State football team continues to seek a third wide receiver commit in the 2025 recruiting class. Many were optimistic that Taz Williams could be that addition for the Nittany Lions. However, on Saturday Williams made his commitment to Baylor over Penn State, Michigan, and SMU.

Recruiting is a much different space than it was even a few years ago. In this era of college football, players have more leverage than ever before. NIL deals, proximity to home, and the transfer portal makes verbal commitments even more interesting. The Penn State football team has been on the wrong end of the cycle, specifically at wide receiver.

While the Nittany Lions hold commitments from Lyrick Samuel and Jeff Exinor the 2025 recruiting class could use additional pass catchers. Taz Williams was one of those potential prospects that could fill the void in this cycle. But instead, he announced his commitment to Baylor on Saturday.

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Taz Williams Jr. has Committed to Baylor, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’0 190 WR from Red Oak, TX chose the Bears over Penn State, Michigan, & Texas A&M

“I’m ready to be a part of this change & get this Natty!”https://t.co/s9QkjRA1Sg pic.twitter.com/23jizpWGAr

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 13, 2024

The blue-chip wide receiver who holds a four-star ranking is originally from Pittsburgh. One of the main reasons why a potential homecoming made a lot of sense here. Williams plays his high school football at Red Oak (Texas), and according to On3, he is the No. 47 prospect in Texas. He also ranks as a top-50 wide receiver in the cycle (No. 311 nationally).

Williams held a crystal ball in favor of Penn State that was placed by Lions247’s Tyler Calvaruso. But, he also held three RPMs in favor of Baylor all from Chad Simmons, EJ Holland, and Scott Schrader of On3. All three RPMs were placed on Saturday.

Wide receiver recruiting starting to snowball

Syndication: York Daily Record

As Penn State closed the month of June, they appeared to be one of the hottest teams in the country on the recruiting trail. Even On3 named the Nittany Lions as the 5th best team in terms of recruiting in June. But July on the other hand has been disappointing.

That’s no slight at the two additions that they have made in legacy prospect LaVar Arrington II and Randy Adirika. But where Penn State football fans want to see more progress is specifically at wide receiver. Lex Cyrus was a blue-chip in-state prospect who appeared to be a lock to end up in Happy Valley but chose South Carolina instead. 

The Nittany Lions were also optimistic about Matthew Outten who chose Virginia Tech over Penn State. Now, today, Taz Williams is the latest domino to fall as Marques Hagans needs to search for additional talent that can bolster the wide receiver room in 2025.

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