Elite in-state recruit picks Notre Dame over Penn State football

Penn State football started January with a loss to Notre Dame on the field. Now, the Nittany Lions will close out the month with another defeat at the hands of the Fighting Irish on the recruiting trail.

Marcus Freeman and the Irish secured a notable win over James Franklin and the Nittany Lions on Thursday, entering Penn State territory and landing a commitment from 2026 four-star in-state lineman Tyler Merrill.

🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star IOL Tyler Merrill has committed to Notre Dame☘️

More from @SWiltfong_: https://t.co/eNUgqgSboZ pic.twitter.com/qNmsSBmHah

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 30, 2025

The Cumberland Valley standout announced his commitment live on Thursday afternoon. The On3 Industry Rankings rate Merrill as the No. 82 overall prospect, the No. 5 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 2 prospect from the Keystone State in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Alabama, Clemson, and Wisconsin were also among Merrill’s top choices.

“Penn State [is] close to home,” Merrill recently said of the Nittany Lions to On3. “College football, Big Ten runner-ups, just a great program as well. Great offense, great O-linemen come from there as well.”

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Less than 100 miles away in Mechanicsburg, Merrill was a frequent visitor to Happy Valley, with 10 trips made during his recruitment. However, it ultimately wasn’t enough to keep the highly touted lineman from landing in South Bend.

“O-line U. Definitely a place a lot of great o-linemen come out,” Merrill said of Notre Dame. “High education and, most importantly, great people.”

Despite missing out on one of the state’s most coveted prospects, momentum is still moving in a positive direction for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions in 2026. With nine commitments, Penn State football is on pace for a top-10 class, currently ranked No. 6 nationally according to On3.

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