Penn State commit, top in-state recruit confirms return from injury is set for Friday

One of the top emerging prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle and future Nittany Lion is expected to make his long-anticipated return to the gridiron this week. After over two months since suffering a right foot injury, Harrisburg (PA) lineman and Penn State football commit Kevin Brown is set to be back in action for Friday night’s district semifinal against Manheim Township.

Ryan Snyder of Blue White Illustrated reported the news on Thursday. Brown played in Harrisburg’s season opener on August 24 before sustaining an injury to his right foot during practice the following week. The injury required surgery, which occurred the week after Labor Day.

Per PennLive’s Dan Sostek, who also reported the news, Brown’s initial recovery timeline was set for a potential return in the state championship held on the first weekend of December. Although the injury occurred in a “low blood flow area,” which slowed recovery, recent progress now allows Brown to return sooner.

On Thursday evening, the four-star lineman took to social media to confirm his reported return.

It's true https://t.co/bnDbRrEOsd

— Kevin H. Brown (@KevinHBrown07) November 14, 2024

Officially joining James Franklin and the Nittany Lions during July’s Lasch Bash, Kevin Brown is the No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2026 recruiting class. Currently at No. 26 nationally in the Industry Rankings, there’s a high likelihood the Harrisburg product will become a five-star recruit before the 2026 cycle is over.

Brown, along with Harrisburg teammate Messiah Mickens and Fort Cherry safety Matt Sieg, give Penn State football three of the state’s top six prospects for 2026. The seven-commit class was recently elevated to No. 5 this week in On3’s national recruiting rankings.

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