Penn State football, Big Ten rival emerge as ‘leaders’ for No. 2 recruit in 2026

Penn State football is recruiting at an elite level in the 2026 cycle. Already pushing for a top-five class, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions remain firmly in the mix for the nation’s two top prospects.

On Monday, Georgetown Prep’s (MD) Immanuel Iheanacho provided an update on his recruitment to On3’s Steve Wiltfong. As the five-star offensive tackle prepares for a busy spring of visits, the Nittany Lions are still front and center in his recruitment, battling it out with Big Ten rival Oregon and SEC foe Georgia.

“My leader is still Oregon,” Iheanacho told On3. “Oregon, Georgia, and Penn State. Those are my leaders.”

Five-Star Plus+ OT Immanuel Iheanacho talks about his recruitment and a potential official visit, via @SWiltfong_‼️

“Leader is still Oregon. Oregon, Georgia and Penn State. Those are my leaders.”

Read: https://t.co/VbQJbJ2NCr pic.twitter.com/9tJHeQ5daO

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 10, 2025

Iheanacho has been to Happy Valley three times over the last 10 months. He has already locked in an official visit with Georgia for May. Ranked as the No. 2 player in the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2026 recruiting cycle, Iheanacho is set to trim his list of top programs to 11 soon.

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Iheanacho’s update comes less than a week after On3’s top prospect in 2026, Zion Elee, confirmed that he plans to take an official visit with Penn State football this summer. Located just outside the DMV in Baltimore, Elee committed to in-state Maryland in December.

As the 2026 cycle begins in earnest, Penn State football is right on the cut line for a top-five recruiting class. The Nittany Lions have nine commitments so far, the fourth-most nationally. On3 ranks the Blue and White with the country’s No. 6 class; 247Sports has James Franklin’s squad at No. 4. In both rankings, Penn State sits behind Oregon and USC for the No. 3 class in the Big Ten.

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