Penn State football closes the gap with a 2026 blue chip tight end

The Penn State football team is off to a scorching hot start to the 2026 recruiting class. Early in the cycle, the Nittany Lions have a top-five recruiting class with six hard commits. A position where Penn State has been able to stack talent over the years is at tight end. Now, they are trending for blue chip prospect JC Anderson.

It was a few short weeks ago when JC Anderson made his latest trip to Happy Valley. He was on campus for the Lasch Bash in July and just days later Anderson dropped his final ten schools.

On Twitter / X, Anderson shared that Oregon, Michigan, Notre Dame, Aubrun, UNC, Florida State, Illinois, Texas, LSU, and Penn State are the schools he is considering for his college career. Anderson is a blue-chip tight-end prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Anderson is a four-star recruit. The Decatur (Illinois) native stands at 6-7 230 pounds. As he prepares for his junior season on the field, he looks to continue to improve his recruiting status. Currently, On3 regards Anderson as the No. 4 prospect in Illinois and the No. 6 tight end in the 2026 cycle (No. 144 nationally).

He has taken two trips to Happy Valley during his recruitment, the first was on April 12 and then again on July 27.

Blessed to be in this position, thank you to all the coaches that have believed in me and have taken the time to recruit me throughout this process!! #AGTG 🙏🏼@patricketherton @AllenTrieu @adamgorney @GregSmithRivals @EDGYTIM @SWiltfong_ pic.twitter.com/S26JiY6OmV

— JC Anderson (@jcanderson34) August 7, 2024

Nittany Lions dip back into PA for the latest 2025 addition

Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun

On Thursday, the Penn State football team earned a new commitment in the 2025 recruiting class. A player they were familiar with but who committed elsewhere. James Franklin and Tom Allen were able to re-recruit St Joseph’s Prep linebacker Cam Smith and ultimately flipped his commitment from Manny Diaz and Duke.

The Philadephia native is regarded as the No. 26 linebacker in the country and the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania per the On3 Industry Rankings.

With his commitment, the Nittany Lions hold the No. 16 recruiting class in the country according to On3. With 24 verbal commitments in 2025.

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