Penn State football strengthened its New Jersey pipeline with another commitment on Thursday afternoon.
The Nittany Lions landed a pledge from three-star running back Chukwuma Odoh, who became the fourth New Jersey native to join in the 2027 cycle, tied with Pennsylvania for most members in Penn State’s class.
Odoh ranks as the No. 22 recruit from The Garden State, No. 57 running back and No. 735 overall prospect in the 2027 signing class, according to the 247Sports composite rating. He’s entering his senior year at Paramus Catholic High School, which also produced current Nittany Lion offensive lineman Malachi Goodman. Through three seasons with the Spartans, Odoh has totaled 290 touches for 2,525 yards (8.7 per carry) with 30 touchdowns.
His relationship with running backs coach Savon Huggins played a pivotal role in the decision. Huggins first offered Odoh in 2025 while at Boston College, marking only his second Division I offer. After Huggins joined Penn State, the program extended an offer in March. Odoh had scheduled just one official visit this summer — a trip to Happy Valley in June — but committed before taking it.
Odoh joins four-star Aiden Gibson, who committed two days prior, as the only running backs in the class. The group ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten with the latest addition, according to 247.
