Penn State rises in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

April has been a big month on the recruiting trail for Penn State. The Nittany Lions’ momentum continued Friday when they landed a commitment from Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial four-star running back Corey Smith.

His decision elevated Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class to No. 10 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Nittany Lions’ group, which also ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten, rose one spot from No. 11.

Smith is now the fifth four-star to choose head coach James Franklin and his staff. The others are Belle Vernon (Penn.) athlete Quinton Martin, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin cornerback Jon Mitchell, Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial interior offensive lineman Donovan Harbour and Erie (Penn.) McDowell interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins.

A 5-foot-11, 175-pound tailback, Smith is the No. 221 overall prospect and No. 18 running back in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 3 player in Wisconsin.

“Today was a great day,” Smith told Ryan Snyder of BlueWhiteIllustrated on April 15 after watching Penn State’s spring game. “Great vibes , great team, great atmosphere all-around, specifically the players. They showed competitiveness during the spring game which was very entertaining.”

For more Penn State recruiting intel, check out BlueWhiteIllustrated.

Penn State is off to a strong start in the 2024 cycle

Eight players have chosen Penn State this month, including four of the Nittany Lions’ top five commits. They are Martin, Mitchell, Harbour and Smith. Not only are Harbour and Smith high school teammates, but they also are two of the top three players in Wisconsin.

Franklin and Co. also have a commitment from Hartland (Wis.) Arrowhead three-star offensive tackle Garrett Sexton, the No. 4 player in the state. Sexton also pledged to Penn State in April, along with Reading (Penn.) Wyomissing three-star athlete Caleb Brewer, Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough three-star offensive tackle Eagan Boyer and Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin three-star cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter.

The Nittany Lions’ other commits are Pittsburgh (Penn.) Central Catholic three-star linebacker Anthony Speca, Philadelphia (Penn.) Imhotep Institute three-star cornerback Kenny Woseley, Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) West Bloomfield three-star linebacker Kari Jackson and Westford (Mass.) Cheshire Academy three-star tight end Luke Reynolds.

“It is about the culture at Penn State,” Woseley told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 3. “Yes, the coaches care, but it is the culture coach James Franklin has created that is the difference from Penn State and the other schools on my list. Alumni come back, people love to be there and there is a strong bond throughout the program.”