Ohio State tops Penn State for top 10 defensive lineman

Penn State football landed a pair of 2026 commitments on Friday. But the Nittany Lions were not able to go a perfect three-for-three to kick off the weekend, as the program lost out on top defensive line target Damari Simeon to Ohio State. 

The St. Augustine Prep (NJ) lineman announced his decision via Hayes Fawcett. Simeon made four trips to Happy Valley during his recruitment, but the Buckeyes got the last word with a visit last weekend following his visit with the Nittany Lions earlier in June. The second-ranked prospect from New Jersey, Simeon is the No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 65 overall player in 2026 per On3.

In addition to Ohio State, Penn State was trying to edge out Michigan and Texas for Simeon’s commitment.

BREAKING: Four-Star DL Damari Simeon has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 290 DL from Egg Harbor Township, NJ chose the Buckeyes over Penn State, Texas, & Michigan

He’s ranked as the No. 7 DL in the 2026 Class (per On3) 🌰https://t.co/ZdewLTYdF1 pic.twitter.com/Q8Ww681Nzi

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 27, 2025

Penn State holds commitments from a pair of three-star interior defensive linemen – Alex Haskell and Isaac Chukwurah – in the 2026 cycle. The Nittany Lions have the No. 8 class nationally following commitments from edge Jackson Ford and offensive lineman Jack Fuchs Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Northern Irish specialist Adam McCann-Gibbs announced his pledge to the Blue and White.

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