Penn State football projected to flip 2025 LB from Manny Diaz and Duke

The world of college football recruiting has changed so rapidly over the past few seasons. Factoring in NIL and the transfer portal has been challenging for all programs. In the 2025 recruiting class, the Penn State football team has been criticized for allowing some of the top talent to leave the state and commit elsewhere. However, the Nittany Lions are now on the verge of flipping linebacker Cam Smith from Manny Diaz and Duke.

Cam Smith made his commitment official to Duke on February 8. A massive recruiting win for Manny Diaz to come to Pennsylvania and secure a commitment from Smith who attends St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadephia. But that didn’t stop the Penn State football team from pursuing Smith.

According to Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons of On3, the Nittany Lions are now on the verge of flipping Smith from Duke. Both Wiltfong and Simmons have placed RPM predictions in favor of Penn State flipping Smith with a confidence level of 6.

Where does Smith rank in the 2025 cycle?

Syndication: The Fayetteville Observer

Landing Cam Smith would be a massive addition for the Nittany Lions. Considering they lost a linebacker commit themselves to Rutgers in DJ McClary. Smith is a blue-chip prospect as he holds a four-star ranking. According to On3, Smith is the No. 8 player in the Keystone State and the No.26 linebacker (No. 264 nationally) in the 2025 recruiting class.

Collin Ginnan of On3 recently wrote a piece on Smith’s future. He was most recently in Happy Valley on July 27 and had great things to say about Penn State.

Ginnan noted a message shared directly from James Franklin to Cam Smith, “After space opened up in the linebacker room I was the first guy they wanted to get in contact with and explained how the situation changed. Now, that a spot’s open, they want me to be that guy.”

Currently, Penn State holds the No. 16 recruiting class in 2025 with 23 hard commits according to On3.

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