Penn State football shares special connection with this New Jersey High School

Penn State football has been busy recruiting prospects in the upcoming 2025, 2026, and even 2027 recruiting classes. The 2025 recruiting class received a huge boost when top 100 cornerback Daryus Dixson chose the Nittany Lions. Antonio Branch is the latest to join Penn State after his decision on Wednesday night. But Winslow Township High School New Jersey high school with Penn State ties may be the home for several future Nittany Lions.

Penn State football targets Winslow Township High School prospects

Winslow Township High School, located in South Central New Jersey, is home to several high school football players with offers from Penn State. The Nittany Lions have targeted two players in the 2026 recruiting class from Winslow Township. 

The first is three-star wide receiver Nyqir Helton. Helton currently ranks as a top-10 player in New Jersey and a top-70 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, according to On3. He holds offers from Penn State, Wisconsin, Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse, Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, and others. Helton has visited Penn State three times during his recruitment. 

The second 2026 prospect is three-star cornerback Julian Peterson. Peterson, 6-1, 175 pounds, is the 25th-ranked cornerback and seventh-ranked player in New Jersey according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Peterson is a long cornerback with excellent speed for his size. Peterson has offers from Penn State, Duke, Boston College, West Virginia, UCF, Pitt, and others. 

Ausar Heard may have more promise than anyone mentioned so far. Heard, a member of the 2027 recruiting class who is listed as an athlete. The 5-10, 205-pound Heard has offers from Penn State, Duke, Georgia, Syracuse, and West Virginia already. 

Penn State also missed the cut on some other Winslow products. 2024 three-star wide receiver Jaylan Hornsby chose Syracuse over the likes of Penn State and other big schools. Additionally, 2025 cornerback Cameron Miller committed to Big Ten foe Wisconsin in May.

Penn State shares ties with Winslow

Penn State may be the leader for a lot of these upcoming recruits. Winslow Township High School’s Head Football Coach is Bill Belton, a former running back at Penn State who played from 2011-2014. Belton got some nice words from his former head coach Bill O’Brien on Next Up with Adam Breneman. O’Brien said of Belton coaching “I think it’s awesome” and that he became “one of our [Penn State’s] best players and a good student.” 

Penn State is also dealing with recruiting against its former assistant coaches. 

Bill O’Brien is now the head coach at Boston College. O’Brien has kept in touch with his former player as he has offered some of Belton’s players. Cameron Miller, Deante Ruffin, Julian Peterson, and Nyqir Helton all hold offers from the Eagles. 

In addition to O’Brien, former Penn State Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz is recruiting Winslow as well. Diaz and top recruiter (and former Nittany Lions staffer) Gabe Infante are also offering these top Winslow players. 

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