BREAKING: Penn State football lands top 50 DL over Miami, USC

James Franklin and Penn State football kept their recruiting hot streak going with another pickup to kick off the week on Tuesday evening. The Nittany Lions dipped into the Sunshine State talent pool, earning a commitment from 2025 Miami Central (Flordia) defensive lineman Randy Adirika.

The Nittany Lions beat out USC and Miami for Adirika’s commitment. Miami was the presumed frontrunner for months, with the Hurricanes leading in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine since early February.

However, the momentum turned in Penn State’s favor in recent weeks. 247Sports’ Tom Loy and Gaby Urrutia submitted crystal ball predictions for Adirika to commit to the Nittany Lions on June 28.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, On3’s Chad Simmons flipped his prediction from Miami to Penn State. Simmons’ original prediction for the Hurricanes was placed back in the spring.

BREAKING: Penn State adds a commitment from 3-star DT Randy Adirika out of Miami pic.twitter.com/1aK9dclOvs

— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) July 9, 2024

Randy Adirika earned an offer from Penn State football in February 2023. He’s been to campus only twice, but both have been in the last three months. His first visit was for the Blue-White Game on April 13, followed by an official visit on the weekend of June 14.

A three-star, Adirika is the No. 44 defensive lineman and the No. 62 prospect in Florida, according to On3’s Industry Rankings for the 2025 recruiting cycle. As a junior, he recorded 27 tackles (16 TFLs), 11 sacks and a forced fumble. At Miami Central, Adirika is a high school teammate with 2025 Penn State quarterback commit Bekkem Kritza.

More commitments could be on the way for Penn State football

© Dylan Jacobs / USA TODAY NETWORK

Randy Adirika could be the first of several prospects to give their pledges to James Franklin and the Nittany Lions this week. 

Susquehanna Township’s Lex Cyrus, the top in-state wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting cycle, is set to announce his commitment on Thursday afternoon. Cyrus has been predicted to Penn State for some time, but Thursday’s decision will be a battle between the Nittany Lions and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Nittany Lions’ other top remaining receiver target, Taz Williams, is expected to announce on Saturday. Choosing between Penn State, Michigan, SMU, and Texas A&M, the Red Oak (Texas) star appears to be trending in the Nittany Lions’ favor down the home stretch.

Adirika is James Franklin’s 11th commitment since June 10. As of Tuesday evening, Penn State football has the No. 17 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle per On3’s Industry Comparison Rankings.

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