Penn State football commit plummets in new national rankings

James Franklin, Tom Allen, and the Penn State football defensive staff have been surging in the last four weeks, with the Nittany Lions adding eight commitments on that side of the line of scrimmage since the middle of June. However, one of the newest members of the Nittany Lions 2025 recruiting class received a significant downgrade in the latest round of national rankings, as Riverdale Baptist (Maryland) edge rusher Cortez Harris dropped out of the updated On300 recruiting rankings released on Monday.

Harris fell more than 100 spots from his previous national ranking of No. 199. As a result, he lost a star off his rating, going from a four-star prospect to a three-star in On3’s 2025 recruiting rankings. Previously a top 25 edge in the country, Harris now comes in at No. 43 at the position.

However, like when he committed to Penn State football on June 23, Cortez Harris remains the top defensive end in Maryland. He also still is a top-10 player in the state, only falling from No. 4 to No. 8.

Cortez Harris maintains his four-star status in both the On3 Industry Rankings and the 247Sports Composite. 247Sports ranks Harris as the No. 26 edge nationally.

Other Penn State defenders hold firm in On300 2025 recruiting rankings

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Outside of Cortez Harris, it mainly was par for the course among the other 2025 Penn State defenders within the On300.

Only two Nittany Lion defensive commitments saw movement in the On300: linebacker Alex Tatsch fell from No. 74 to No. 81 nationally, and defensive end Jayden Woods jumped from No. 268 to No. 264.

Edge Max Granville (No. 186) and cornerback Jahmir Joseph (No. 253) saw no change. Defensive backs Xxavier Thomas, Daryus Dixson, Antonio Branch, and Braswell Thomas, as well as linebackers Dayshaun Burnett and LaVar Arrington II, all remain outside the On300.

With the changes to the On300 and a busy Independence Day weekend of commitments across the country, Penn State football now ranks No. 17 in On3’s Industry Comparison for the national 2025 team recruiting rankings.

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