Penn State’s 2027 recruiting class has taken off with remarkable speed, even though the team started spring football practice without a full class in place. This wasn’t unusual, as head coach Matt Campbell and his staff were busy building their first roster and establishing the program’s culture during the winter months. In fact, Campbell admitted in March that the Nittany Lions were slightly behind on their 2027 recruiting plans.
However, spring practice provided a strong foundation for the 2027 class to begin taking shape. Since the start of spring drills, Campbell has secured 11 commitments, including three over the weekend that propelled Penn State’s class into the national top 10. These recent additions have solidified Campbell’s reputation as a recruiter who can deliver results on a national scale.
One of the most notable additions is 4-star cornerback Kei’Shjuan Telfair from Ohio. Telfair, who plays at Euclid High near Cleveland, became the highest-ranked player in Penn State’s 2027 class and is currently ranked 12th nationally at his position. He also ranks as the fourth-best player in Ohio and is a top-100 prospect according to the 247Sports Composite. Telfair chose Penn State over a lengthy list of schools, including Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech. He made an unofficial visit to State College during spring drills and has scheduled an official visit for June.
Another key addition was 3-star offensive lineman Jon Sassic from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, a WPIAL power school. Sassic became the second player from the school to commit to Penn State’s 2027 class.
Penn State’s promising early recruits
Telfair’s commitment marked a significant step forward for a 2027 class that Campbell has built by tapping into both new and familiar recruiting areas. Ohio, in particular, has become a common destination for Penn State, and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith has played a central role in this effort. Smith, who has coached the position for 14 years, has been instrumental in recruiting four of Penn State’s 11 commits, all of whom are projected to play cornerback.
Smith emphasized that Campbell’s recruiting strategy is character-driven, rooted in the long-standing culture of Penn State. “It’s something that Penn State’s culture has been built on forever,” Smith said. “Way back to [former head coaches] Rip Engle and Joe Paterno, we’re going to recruit a certain kind of kid that fits us.”
Campbell has also focused on players he had previously recruited before taking the Penn State job. For example, tight end Cooper Terwilliger, a 4-star prospect from South Dakota, received an offer from Campbell while he was coaching at Iowa State. After joining the Penn State staff, Campbell re-offered Terwilliger, who ultimately chose Penn State over Notre Dame, Indiana, Michigan, Alabama, and Nebraska.
Similarly, 4-star receiver Landon Blum, who plays for Woodbine High’s 8-man football team, committed to Penn State after being offered by Campbell during his time at Iowa State. Blum also had offers from Iowa, Ole Miss, Duke, and Auburn but chose Penn State due to his relationship with Campbell. Another example is 3-star linebacker Blake Betton, the No. 4 player in Minnesota, who received an offer from Campbell nearly a year ago and later committed to Penn State.
What’s next for Penn State recruiting?
While Campbell’s first full class is still in progress, the Nittany Lions continue to target several high-profile prospects. One of the most sought-after players is Pittsburgh-area receiver Khalil Taylor, who was among the players who decommitted from Penn State’s class after James Franklin was fired. Taylor is a highly rated receiving prospect, ranked 13th nationally at his position according to the 247Sports Composite.
Penn State is also looking to add at least one quarterback to its 2027 class. Two of the top targets are 4-star prospects Will Menci from Chandler, Arizona, and Peter Bourque from Massachusetts. Both are ranked in the top 10 nationally, according to 247Sports.
Despite the “elite” resources promised by Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft, Campbell remains focused on finding the right fit for his program. “The financial aspect I think is certainly unique,” Campbell said. “One of the great things that we have here is the sacrifice that Pat and his team have made to be competitive at the highest level to give yourself a chance to build the best team. Now, I think sometimes in college football we can get lost on the financial piece of it. Do I think it’s important? Absolutely. But I think the reality is that cannot be priority No. 1.”
“I want young men that want to be here at Penn State and want to win championships at Penn State. It has to start there.”
