Penn State moves up to No. 7 in On3 Consensus Team Rankings

Penn State pulled off a major coup on the recruiting trail by flipping four-star cornerback Elliott Washington of Venice (Fla.) from Alabama. Washington’s commitment moved the Nittany Lions’ class to No. 7 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. Penn State’s group currently ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten behind Ohio State.

Washington is the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 10 cornerback in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Washington higher than other services as the No. 66 overall prospect and the No. 7 cornerback.

What Washington’s commitment means for the 2023 class

Part of the reason Washington chose the Nittany Lions is because of how he viewed the coaching staff.

“What stood out is how down-to-earth (head coach James) Franklin and his staff were with everyone,” Washington told On3’s BlueWhiteIllustrated. “They seem real and upfront about what their expectations are as a student-athlete. They want to win championships and continue to be an elite program. Coach Terry Smith, the DB coach, was good at explaining how I will fit in their defense as a corner if I choose PSU. Coach Manny Diaz [went] over his success as a defensive coordinator, too. Seeing the film and numbers, it will be an aggressive style they play at PSU.”

Washington marked Penn State’s first commitment in July, but it was a big one that elevated the Nittany Lions over USC in the Consensus Recruiting Rankings.

Penn State’s rise began on June 12 with a commitment from three-star wide receiver Yazeed Haynes of Lansdale (Penn.) North Penn. Five days later, three-star defensive lineman Tyriq Blanding of Middle Village (N.Y.) Christ The King Regional announced his pledge to the Nittany Lions.

A nine-day period between June 21 and June 30 would bring even more success for Penn State on the recruiting trail. The Nittany Lions landed three four-star recruits in EDGE Tomarrion Parker of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, safety DaKaari Nelson of Selma (Ala.) and safety King Mack of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas.

Washington’s commitment strengthens a strong secondary class that also includes four-star safety Conrad Hussey from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and three-star cornerback Lamont Payne of Bridgeville (Penn.) Chartiers Valley.

Foundation of Penn State’s 2023 class in place for months

The top prospect in the Nittany Lions’ class is four-star interior offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier of Ashburn (Va.) Broad Run. He has been committed to Penn State since July 15, 2021.

Four-star Jven Williams, a top-70 interior offensive lineman, announced his pledge to the Nittany Lions in February. He is currently Penn State’s second highest-ranked recruit.

Meanwhile, four-star tight end Andrew Rappleyea of Millbrook (N.Y.) Milton Academy flipped from Michigan to the Nittany Lions in April.

“There’s something about Happy Valley that feels like home,” Rappleyea told BlueWhiteIllustrated in April regarding his decision. “It seems to happen to a lot of people. They go there and fall in love with it.”