Penn State football offers blue chip linebacker committed to an SEC foe

Penn State football continues to try to grow the 2026 recruiting class. There has been a cluster of players that have committed on the offensive side of the ball but the defensive side has zero commitments. But that could soon change as the Nittany Lions offered Rodney Colton on Monday. A prospect who is currently committed to South Carolina.

Rodney Colton is a four-star linebacker prospect from Newnan (Georgia). As a member of the 2026 recruiting class, Colton made his college decision earlier this year. On April 24 he made his commitment to South Carolina. He remains committed to the Gamecocks, however it appears that he is reviewing all of his options.

On3 projects Auburn to be the current favorite to land Colton, however, Penn State football has now entered the mix. He has never made the trip to Happy Valley during his recruitment, but that could soon change with an offer in his hand. On Monday, he announced on Twitter / X that the Nittany Lions have officially offered him a scholarship.

#AGTG penn state offered‼️ @ZemaitisTouch_ pic.twitter.com/CneIBf4YAB

— Rodney”UNO” Colton jr (@RodneyColton24) October 7, 2024

How do experts rank Colton?

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

On3 is by far the highest on Colton. Ranking him as the No. 6 player in Georgia and the No. 2 linebacker in the 2026 recruiting cycle (No. 32 overall). When you look at the On3 Industry Rankings the South Carolina commit is the No. 14 player in the state, the No. 7 linebacker, and the No. 104 player overall.

Currently, Penn State holds the No. 2 recruiting class in 2026 according to On3 with six hard commits.

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