BREAKING: Penn State football adds No. 1 NJ lineman to 2026 class

The Fourth of July may be over, but Penn State football is kicking off a busy Saturday on the recruiting trail with some fireworks of its own. The Nittany Lions are starting the weekend on a high note, earning a commitment from 2026 DePaul Catholic (NJ) offensive lineman Marlen Bright. 

A four-star, Bright is the No. 4 prospect out of the Garden State and the cycle’s No. 23 offensive tackle, per On3. He has been viewed as a likely Nittany Lions pledge throughout the winter and spring. 

Bright chose Penn State over West Virginia and Illinois. 

🚨BREAKING🚨 Rivals 4-star OT Marlen Bright has committed to Penn State🦁

Read: https://t.co/dYNzDfUsPU pic.twitter.com/EyDDJWoTkM

— Rivals (@Rivals) July 5, 2025

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One of their top targets along the offensive front, James Franklin and Phil Trautwein now have five commitments from 2026 linemen. A group led by potential five-star in-state prospect Kevin Brown, Bright is the Nittany Lions’ third-highest-ranked commitment at the position. 

Now up to 24 total pledges in the class, Penn State football will push for commitment No. 25 later Saturday evening when four-star edge rusher Tyson Harley announces his decision. 

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