Penn State football: Top 10 QB target now predicted to ACC powerhouse

One of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting cycle is already being predicted to come off the board. On Saturday, 247Sports’ Tom Loy logged a crystal ball for Brady Hart to land at Clemson after the Florida quarterback received an offer from the Tigers only hours beforehand. Penn State football hosted the top 10 passer this spring. The Nittany Lions are believed to be primed for a renewed push for Hart as the dominos in the 2026 quarterback class begin to fall.

Brady Hart predicted to Clemson hours after picking up offer

The Nittany Lions’ perceived plans at quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle may have suffered another blow Saturday, as Cocoa’s Brady Hart is now believed to be trending towards a commitment to the Clemson Tigers.

Hart visited Clemson for the first time last Wednesday for the 2024 Dabo Swinney Football Camp. The rising junior evidently impressed the camp’s namesake, picking up an offer from Swinney and the Tigers on Saturday evening.

Almost instantaneously with Hart’s public announcement of the offer, 247Sports national recruiting analyst Tom Loy entered a crystal ball for the quarterback to eventually commit to Clemson. Loy logged his prediction with medium confidence.

#AGTG Blessed to receive an OFFER to Clemson University !! @ClemsonFB @CoachGRiley @Paul_Tyson17 @Cocoa_Schneider @baylintrujillo pic.twitter.com/QoBbq00MyM

— Brady Hart (@BradyHartQB) June 9, 2024

Where is Penn State football with quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle?

Brady Hart was believed by many to be leaning towards Notre Dame throughout the spring. However, that belief has changed as the 2026 recruiting cycle has developed, including Noah Grubb’s commitment to the Fighting Irish on June 1.

Grubb’s commitment to Notre Dame opened the door for Penn State football to make a renewed push at Brady Hart starting this summer. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions hosted the rising quarterback in March.

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Penn State is in solid early position with Dia Bell, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle. However, the Nittany Lions are likely looking to keep their options open with other passers, like top 2026 quarterback Faizon Brandon, seemingly moving closer to decisions.

A four-star, Brady Hart is the No. 7 quarterback and the No. 92 prospect nationally in 247Sports’ Composite 2026 recruiting cycle rankings. As a sophomore, Hart held a 66% completion rate while throwing for 3,759 yards with 41 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Are the Tigers becoming a thorn in the side of James Franklin and the Nittany Lions?

This wouldn’t be the first time in the last week that James Franklin and Penn State football have had a run-in with Dabo Swinney and Clemson go against them on the recruiting trail.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, the Nittany Lions missed on two 2025 targets who ended up committing to Clemson.

First, it was four-star Florida cornerback Graceson Littleton, who committed to the Tigers coming off his official visit to Penn State last weekend.

Three-star New York offensive lineman Rowan Byrne followed the next day, committing after his first and only visit to Clemson last week. Byrne was scheduled for an official visit with the Nittany Lions for the weekend of June 21.

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