Penn State’s Five-Star Hopes for 2026 Class Narrow to One as Top Targets Commit Elsewhere
As the 2026 recruiting cycle heats up, Penn State football finds itself in a precarious position. The Nittany Lions have yet to secure a commitment from a five-star recruit, and their once-promising list of top-tier targets has rapidly dwindled.
Originally, Penn State’s primary five-star targets in the class were wide receiver Brandon Arrington, edge rusher Zion Elee, and defensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho. Now, just one remains in play: Iheanacho, whose decision timeline is still unconfirmed.
❌ Zion Elee Off the Board
Elee, the No. 1 player in Maryland for 2026 and a dominant edge presence, committed to the Maryland Terrapins back on December 7, 2024. Since then, he’s shown no serious signs of wavering. The only program with even a sliver of a chance to flip him appears to be Auburn, but even that is considered a long shot. Penn State was once thought to be in the mix, but his early commitment and loyalty to his home-state program have shut that door.
❌ Brandon Arrington Accelerates Decision
The Nittany Lions also had high hopes for five-star wideout Brandon Arrington, one of the most explosive receivers in the 2026 class. Originally planning to commit on July 5, Arrington surprised many by pushing up his decision date to June 19, per On3.
Now in “crunch time,” Arrington has officially narrowed his list down to just two schools, and Penn State is not one of them. While the exact pair of finalists hasn’t been made public, buzz indicates that Texas A&M and Oregon are the likely destinations, leaving the Nittany Lions on the outside looking in.
🔍 Iheanacho: The Lone Remaining Hope
That leaves Immanuel Iheanacho as the last five-star prospect still considering Penn State. The highly coveted defensive lineman has kept his recruitment relatively quiet in recent months, and no firm decision date has been announced. However, Penn State remains in the conversation—at least for now.
🚨 What It Means
For James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, failing to land a five-star recruit in the 2026 class would be a significant setback—especially as conference rivals like Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon continue to load up on elite talent. The coaching staff will need to recalibrate, potentially looking to flip current commitments or lock in high-end four-star players to maintain a competitive class.
With Arrington’s decision looming on June 19, and Iheanacho’s status up in the air, Penn State’s five-star fate could be decided sooner rather than later.
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