Top targets’ posts raises eyebrows ahead of commitment decisions

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.

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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’s “Lockdown U” mantra.

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.

6️⃣👿 https://t.co/97H5erani4

— Khary Adams (@KharyAdams6) June 18, 2025

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.

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