Don’t call it a comeback.
Penn State entered the month of April with just two commitments in its 2027 class, ranking in the 60s nationally. After a successful month on the recruiting trail, the Nittany Lions jumped up to No. 6 in the 247Sports composite rankings and reached 13 members.
Things kicked off with a pledge from three-star cornerback Ka’Ron Ceaser on the first of the month — not an April Fool’s joke — which gave position coach Terry Smith his third victory of the cycle, though no other positions were accounted for yet.
That changed on the fourth, when Penn State added a pair of commitments from four-star wide receiver Landon Blum and three-star defensive lineman Carter Blattner.
A week later, the Nittany Lions struck with a pledge from three-star linebacker Blake Betton on the 11th, one of the top recruits from Minnesota. Two days later, four-star tight end Cooper Terwilliger joined the party.
The staff went on a heater the next week, beginning with three-star offensive lineman Owen Reilly on the 17th, followed by three-star safety Jonathan Galette, three-star offensive lineman Jon Sassic and four-star cornerback Kei’Shjuan Telfair in the following two days.
Telfair became the fourth cornerback in the group and ranks as the highest recruit in the class, marking a major win over schools like Miami and Clemson who were considered finalists.
Rounding out the month, Penn State added pledges from three-star offensive tackle Ryan Robbins and four-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery, pushing the group into the top 10 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though — the Nittany Lions missed out on a few key targets including five-star quarterback Will Mencl, who was viewed as a long shot but took an unofficial visit to campus early in the month.
Though there’s a long and winding road to National Signing Day, the Nittany Lions are positioning themselves well for a top-15 class when it’s time to put pen to paper, a significant jump from the 2026 class that ranked outside the top 50.
