Manny Diaz, Duke secure PA’s No. 1 LB after recent Penn State football visit

Losing former Penn State football defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to Duke hurt. Obviously, his impact on the field was incredible, but his impact on the recruiting trail was massive as well. Now, the Nittany Lions are forced to compete with Diaz for recruits as Duke will often target similar prospects as Penn State. The recruiting overlap has officially impacted the Nittany Lions as Diaz and Duke secured a commitment from LB Cam Smith today.

Manny Diaz, Duke secure top PA LB after recent Penn State visit

Cam Smith is a four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. He is listed as an athlete according to 247Sports but primarily plays linebacker at St. Joseph’s Prep. He is currently ranked as the No. 5 player in PA in the 2025 cycle and the state’s top linebacker.

Today, he made his commitment to the Duke Blue Devils and Manny Diaz after being on Penn State’s campus this past weekend for his junior day visit. Diaz will be a threat to in-state talent moving forward.

COMMITTED! #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/3OAxFHJHly

— Cam Smith (@camduhhgoat) February 8, 2024

The Nittany Lions are loaded at linebacker

The Penn State football team may have lost this specific recruiting battle. But they are loaded up on talent at linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class. Leading with top-100 prospect DJ McClary, then having two WPIAL commits that both happened this week with Alex Tatsch and Dayshaun Burnett.

While the Nittany Lions may have missed on Anthony Sacca and Cam Smith, it’s clear Tom Allen is being selective with his recruiting efforts on defense.

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