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Penn State moves up multiple spots in On3 Team Rankings following updated player ratings

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•02/27/24•

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Penn State linebacker commit DJ McClary. (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

It’s been a great month for Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff on the recruiting trail, with the Nittany Lions adding five new commitments in recent weeks. Now, following updated rankings at both On3 and Rivals, Penn State’s 2025 class has moved up in On3’s Team Rankings, improving two spots to No. 11 nationally following updated player ratings.

For On3’s rankings update, which took place on Monday, Penn State saw two of those recent commits move into the On300, with linebacker Alex Tatsch making the biggest move to No. 52 nationally and third overall at the position. Add in New York wide receiver Lyrick Samuel, who’s now ranked No. 235 at On3, plus New Jersey linebacker DJ McClary at No. 183, and the rankings were largely positive for PSU. Only safety Omari Gaines dropped to a three-star prospect.

But of course, On3 uses its Industry Rankings – which combines On3, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN for a cumulative grade – to determine where each team stands in the class. Because of that, Rivals’ updated rankings on Tuesday also had an impact. Tatsch moved up into the Top 200 at Rivals, while both McClary and Imani Christian’s Dayshaun Burnett also stayed within the Rivals250.

All of that movement now gives Penn State a 90.74 class grade, good for third overall in the Big Ten. With 12 total commitments, only Notre Dame has more nationally at the moment.

Understanding On3’s Team Rankings

For those unfamiliar with On3’s Team Rankings, there are two major differences compared to other sites that you need to know.

1) As mentioned above, we use the Industry Rankings, which puts together all four major recruiting sites – On3, 247, Rivals and ESPN – to find a cumulative score for each prospect. It’s not based on just On3’s rankings.

2) On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings solve the problem of varying class sizes during the recruiting cycle by totaling the highest-rated commitments for each team based on a rolling average of current total commitments among Power Four schools. With it being so early in the cycle, that average is now up to four prospects.

So, if you’re wondering why Penn State ranks substantially lower at On3 when compared to 247 and Rivals, both of which have the Lions ranked fifth currently, it’s because we’re aiming to project which position PSU is truly on pace to finish at come National Signing Day.

Fans can read much more on On3’s Industry Team Recruiting Ranks by clicking here.

Around the Big Ten

Not much has changed around the Big Ten in recent weeks.

Ohio State still has the most talented class by a good margin with eight total commitments so far. That includes two five-star cornerbacks – Alabama native Na’eem Offord and Texas native Devin Sanchez – and six players total that rank inside the Top 100 nationally.

Oregon is the only other Top 25 Big Ten program to pick up a commitment recently, adding defensive lineman Matthew Johnson a few weeks ago. He’s a four-star prospect in the Industry Rankings. Quarterback Akili Smith Jr. and wide receivers Dallas Wilson and Adrian Wilson all rank in the Top 150 currently.

Behind Penn State, you’ll find Michigan and Wisconsin in the Top 25. The Wolverines remain at No. 15 nationally. They have the least amount of commitments so far with just three players. Quarterback Carter Smith and defensive lineman Bobby Kanka both hold four-star ratings.

Wisconsin moved down from No. 20 to No. 25 overall. The Badgers have earned seven commitments, all of whom hold a three-star rating or are currently unranked.

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