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High school teammate of Penn State QB names Nittany Lions as finalist for commitment

Penn State football is in the hunt for a 2026 prospect who has familiarity with the Nittany Lions’ quarterback room.

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December 31, 2024. Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (17) warms up ahead of the Nittany Lions' Fiesta Bowl matchup with Boise State. © Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

Penn State football is making a push for a top 2026 defender who is already quite familiar with Nittany Lions backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Last week, four-star Olentangy (OH) safety Kaden Gebhardt narrowed his list of prospective programs to four schools, including Penn State.

Clemson, Ohio State, and Wisconsin are the other teams still vying for Gebhardt’s commitment. Gebhardt has traveled to Happy Valley twice in the last six weeks: first for the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff matchup against SMU and again on January 25. He’s also visited Clemson and Columbus in the past month.

The Lewis Center, Ohio, product shared the high school gridiron for two seasons with backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. The rising sophomore elevated into the No. 2 role under center for Penn State football this postseason after Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal.

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Gebhardt picked up his offer from the Nittany Lions last June. He is currently the No. 17 safety and the No. 8 prospect from Ohio (No. 215 overall) in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Penn State football currently holds nine commitments in 2026. The group is ranked No. 3 nationally in 247Sports’ 2026 class rankings.



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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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