Top 50 EDGE Justin Hill locks in Penn State official visit
When the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to 2024, Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star EDGE Justin Hill celebrated by announcing his top 10 schools.
Penn State made that group, and on Thursday, the rising prospect confirmed that he’ll return to Happy Valley for an official visit from May 31-June 2.
Hill is also set to visit PSU on April 6. The Nittany Lions follow Ohio State, USC and Miami amidst a stretch of spring trips for the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder. He’s also set to visit Alabama next month. The Buckeyes are currently trending for his pledge, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
“When I commit, I will go wherever is best for me,” Hill told On3 last month. “I have known most of these schools for a while since my recruitment has been going on, so I am looking to see who is the same, who is being real and that will be important. Other things that will be factors are the development, who can prepare me for the league and who can help me create generational wealth for my family.”
Hill is the No. 90 overall prospect and No. 12 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Ohio.
On3 ranks Hill higher than other recruiting services. He checks in at No. 49 overall, No. 6 at his position and No. 2 in Ohio, according to the 2025 On300.
Penn State Class Breakdown
In the 2025 cycle, the Nittany Lions already have 11 commits — the second most in the nation, behind only Notre Dame. Franklin and his staff continue to make hay recruiting in Pennsylvania and the Northeast.
The linebacker room is set to be stacked in Happy Valley. The three highest-ranked commits in the fold for PSU are all LBs. Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder four-star DJ McClary headlines as a top-150 overall prospect.
McClary is flanked by Latrobe (Pa.) Greater four-star Alex Tatsch and Pittsburgh Imani Christian four-star Dayshaun Burnett. Tatsch was one of the biggest risers in the latest 2025 On300 rankings, as he jumped all the way to No. 52 overall.
Pittsburgh North Catholic four-star tight end Brady O’Hara is a top-25 player at his position. Barker and Hayes provide some firepower in the backfield.
Other top commits include Canonsburg (Pa.) Central Catholic three-star cornerback Xxavier Thomas, Boulder (Colo.) Fairview three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza and Avon (Conn.) Old Farms three-star offensive tackle Owen Aliciene.