Top 5 in-state target plans dueling visits to Penn State football, West Virginia

One of the top prospects in Pennsylvania for the 2026 recruiting cycle is set to see James Franklin and the Nittany Lions in action in back-to-back weeks. Four-star Fort Cherry safety Matt Sieg will see Penn State football watch in its season opener on the road at West Virginia, as well as Week 2 in Beaver Stadium.

Sieg will be a visitor of the Mountaineers for next Saturday’s Week 1 clash in Morgantown, according to Pittsburgh Sports Now and Nittany Sports Now.

He’ll then return to Happy Valley for the first time since March for the Nittany Lions’ home opener versus Bowling Green on September 7.

The following week, Sieg will see West Virginia again, this time while visiting Pat Narduzzi and Pitt for the Backyard Brawl.

Penn State football target is a lethal two-way threat

© Sally Maxson / USA TODAY NETWORK

A top 150 prospect nationally, Matt Sieg is ranked as the No. 12 safety in 247Sports’ 2026 recruiting rankings. The site has the Fort Cherry standout as the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania in its own rankings, behind La Salle College athlete Joey O’Brien and Harrisburg offensive lineman and Penn State football commit Kevin Brown.

Although one of the 2026 recruiting cycle’s top defenders, Sieg had one of the best statistical seasons in PIAA history on offense last fall, throwing for 1,659 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushing for 2,402 yards with 40 scores. Sieg picked up where he left off on Friday night, starting 2024 with a passing, rushing, and punt return touchdown in Fort Cherry’s 39-0 win over Northgate.

Penn State football has the No. 2 class nationally in the 2026 recruiting cycle. In addition to Brown, the Nittany Lions also hold a commitment from Harrisburg running back Messiah Mickens, another top-five in-state talent.

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