Five-star edge names Penn State football as finalist for commitment

Penn State football hopes its recruiting hot streak in the class of 2026 will extend into the summer. One surefire way to do just that is to have success with the elite crop of defenders on the board this cycle.

On Friday, five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows included the Nittany Lions among the four finalists for his commitment. Michigan, Ohio State, and South Carolina also made the cut. Meadows was most recently on campus in March and will return for his official visit on June 6.

The No. 6 prospect in 2026, Meadows is the No. 2 edge in the class, according to On3. Suiting up for Gonzaga, Meadows is from the same Washington, D.C.-based high school that produced Olu Fashanu for the Nittany Lions.

Of course, Penn State will have plenty to offer Meadows, producing first-round NFL talent at edge each of the last two years.

BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Carter Meadows is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’6 235 EDGE from Washington, DC is ranked as the No. 6 Recruit in the ‘26 Class (per On3)

Where Should He Go? 👀https://t.co/W3oe3TGhO7 pic.twitter.com/KrUNp0hMO1

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 9, 2025

Meadows is just one of the top 2026 defenders that Penn State football finds itself in the mix for in the 2026 recruiting cycle. In the last two weeks, the Nittany Lions have welcomed a pair of top 30 prospects – defensive backs Brandon Arrington and Khary Adams – to Happy Valley.

With 16 commitments, Penn State has the No. 10 class in 2026 according to On3 and the No. 4 class according to 247Sports.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media.