The recruiting trail just delivered a massive victory for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Joey O’Brien, a highly touted 5-star defensive end, officially announced his commitment to Penn State, sending shockwaves through the college football landscape and igniting excitement among Nittany Lion fans nationwide.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound edge rusher from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is ranked as one of the top five defensive players in the 2025 recruiting class, per multiple scouting services. With elite explosiveness off the line, a relentless motor, and the ability to disrupt both the run and the pass, O’Brien was heavily pursued by national powerhouses including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State. But in the end, he chose to stay home and represent his home-state program.
“This is where I belong,” O’Brien said in a video posted to his social media. “Penn State has always felt like family. The coaching staff, the tradition, the fans everything just felt right.”
O’Brien becomes the crown jewel of Penn State’s 2025 class, which already ranked among the top ten nationally. His commitment gives Franklin and his staff a major in-state recruiting win and reaffirms the Nittany Lions’ ability to go head-to-head with SEC and Big Ten powerhouses for elite talent.
“Joey has the kind of motor and character we look for in a Penn State football player,” head coach James Franklin said in a statement. “He’ll make an immediate impact both on the field and in our locker room.”
With Penn State continuing to build one of the nation’s most formidable defenses, O’Brien is expected to contribute early in his career, especially as the program aims to push past Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten title race and compete for a College Football Playoff spot.
Fans and analysts alike are calling this one of the biggest recruiting wins of Franklin’s tenure. One thing is clear Joey O’Brien’s commitment has the potential to reshape the future of Penn State football.
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