Connect with us

FB RECRUITING

Top targets’ posts raises eyebrows ahead of commitment decisions

The posts appeared to further drive the knife in during a difficult recruiting week for Penn State football.

Published

on

Penn State football
Joey O'Brien visits OSU the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes' 38-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in an NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. © Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Penn State football has earned 12 of its 20 commitments in the 2026 recruiting cycle since the end of March. But despite plenty of recent recruiting success, the Nittany Lions appear to be entering rocky territory with several of the program’s top targets in the class.

On Thursday afternoon, Hun School (NJ) edge rusher Luke Wafle committed to USC. Beyond the mental blow given his status as a top 15 prospect and familial ties to the program, Wafle’s decision is the second time this week that a top target has rebuffed the Nittany Lions. Wednesday, four-star La Salle College (PA) offensive lineman Grayson McKeogh announced his pledge to Notre Dame over Penn State and others.

And unfortunately for James Franklin and his staff, there appear to be more difficult pills to swallow on the way. Top in-state recruit Joey O’Brien – a teammate of McKeogh – is expected to reveal his commitment to the Irish on Friday. Elite Loyola Blakefield (MD) cornerback Khary Adams seems set to follow O’Brien to South Bend shortly thereafter.

Looking for a way to stay up-to-date with all the most important news surrounding Penn State football and Nittany Lion athletics? Follow us on social media and subscribe to our free newsletter for live news and insights sent directly to your feed!

A recent online interaction between the two 2026 defensive back prospects is raising some eyebrows heading into the weekend. Shortly after insiders at 247Sports and On3 revealed predictions for Adams to land with Notre Dame on Wednesday, O’Brien posted a graphic of the pair together in Nittany Lions’ uniforms superimposed over the defensive backs room’sLockdown Umantra.

Given that the duo visited South Bend together last weekend, the message appears to be a not-so-subtle jab at the major program within the Northeast footprint.

Notre Dame has already tread into Penn State’s territory to land a top commit once in this cycle. In January, four-star Cumberland Valley (PA) offensive lineman Tyler Merrill picked the Irish over the Nittany Lions.

Of course, all of this recruiting trail fodder comes with the reminder that it is only June, and decisions can change before National Signing Day. We need to look no further than last winter when Franklin and the Nittany Lions flipped top in-state target Andrew Olesh from Big Ten foe Michigan.

Whether or not history will repeat itself in 2026 is yet to be seen, but there’s still a long time between now and December.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!
Please follow us on our social channelsFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTubeand subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on social media.

Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

Trending