Penn State football predicted to land 2026 WR over Ohio State, Notre Dame, others

The 2025 recruiting cycle may be in its closing days, but it’s the class of 2026 where James Franklin and Penn State football have positive developments heading into the weekend. Experts now predict that the Nittany Lions will earn a commitment from three-star Northrop (IN) wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford.

On Friday afternoon, On3 insider Steve Wiltfong and Ryan Snyder of the outlet’s affiliate site, Blue White Illustrated, both logged predictions for Guilford to land with the Nittany Lions. On Saturday evening, 247Sports recruiting experts Tom Loy and Allen Trieu placed crystal balls for the three-star receiver to commit to Penn State.

Penn State football overtakes Ohio State in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine as the leader for Guilford’s commitment. The Buckeyes had been the frontrunner since early June.

Guilford has visited Happy Valley for the Lasch Bash in July where he picked up his Penn State offer. He returned last weekend to watch the regular-season finale against Maryland.

The Fort Wayne-area receiver has been to Ohio State twice, most recently on October 5 to watch the Buckeyes face Iowa. Guilford has also been to Notre Dame twice, although the Fighting Irish have not officially offered.

Jerquaden Guilford is currently a three-star in all major recruiting services. The On3 Industry Rankings rate him as the No. 63 receiver and the No. 2 prospect from Indiana for the 2026 recruiting class. He holds 14 offers, including Georgia, Miami, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

With seven commitments, James Franklin and Penn State football has the No. 5 recruiting class in On3’s 2026 recruiting rankings.

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