Penn State football recruiting: Nittany Lions named a finalist for four-star linebacker

Currently, the 2024 Penn State football recruiting class holds a commendable 6th position in the national rankings, albeit trailing behind the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines (1) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (2). However, with the summer approaching, head coach James Franklin still has ample time to make significant strides in recruiting and remain competitive with other prominent teams in the Big Ten. Excitingly, the Nittany Lions received noteworthy recognition today as they were named finalists in the pursuit of Elias Rudolph, a highly sought-after four-star linebacker recruit from Florida.

What hat will I wear when times has come ??? pic.twitter.com/CD0KtMqy4n

— Elias Rudolph (@EliasRudolph6) May 17, 2023

Penn State football recruiting named a finalist for four-star linebacker recruit out of Florida

Elias Rudolph recently revealed his five finalists for his commitment, and Penn State football recruiting successfully made the cut, alongside some formidable rivals. Joining the Nittany Lions as contenders are Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt, and Cincinnati. This exciting development brings renewed optimism to Penn State football, especially given the program’s esteemed national reputation as the renowned “Linebacker U.”

Interestingly, despite being a highly regarded four-star prospect at a Florida high school, all five of Rudolph’s finalists hail from the Midwest. The competition for his recruitment is expected to intensify as the three major Big Ten programs make their pitches throughout the summer. At the moment, it seems that the Wolverines hold a slight advantage in the race.

Rudolph’s rankings and ratings

Rudolph’s outstanding abilities as a linebacker have garnered widespread recognition, and he is widely regarded as one of the top players in his position, according to the 247 Sports rankings. Currently, 247 designates Rudolph as a four-star linebacker from Florida, ranking him as the 230th overall recruit nationally, the 20th in the EDGE/linebacker category for the 2024 class, and the 36th in the state of Florida.

According to the Recruiting Prediction Machine, Michigan football recruiting currently has the most favorable odds of securing Rudolph’s commitment, with a significant margin. However, with the summer ahead, there is still time for James Franklin and his coaching staff to make up ground and compete for Rudolph’s signature.

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