Nation’s No. 1 recruit cancels Penn State visit, locks in Maryland commitment

It appears that Penn State football may not get the opportunity to make its pitch to the country’s top prospect after all. On Friday, five-star St. Frances Academy (MD) edge rusher Zion Elee announced that he was canceling all his scheduled visits for the summer and reaffirming his commitment to in-state Maryland.

“I’m home, no need to explore,” Elee told On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Two weeks ago, the elite defensive end announced that he planned to take six official visits this summer. In addition to Penn State, Auburn, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Texas A&M were the programs vying to flip the Terrapins commit.

BREAKING: Five-Star Maryland EDGE commit Zion Elee has shut down his Recruitment & cancelled his OV’s, he tells me for @on3recruits

The No. 1 Recruit in the ‘26 Class was set to take visits to Ohio St, Auburn, Penn St, Texas A&M, & South Carolina

“I’m home, no need to explore.”… pic.twitter.com/k3h2cze7vA

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 21, 2025

Elee announced his commitment to Mike Locksley and Maryland in December. On3 ranks the 6-3, 220-pound prospect as the top overall player in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

“I think Maryland is a great school,” Elee said recently. “What made me make the decision is the coaches. They’re really good people, and I really connected with them on an outside level.”

With nine commitments, Penn State football has the No. 6 recruiting class in 2026, according to On3.

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