Penn State picks up massive 2025 commitment from OL Malachi Goodman
Penn State has picked up another massive commitment for its Class of 2025, adding New Jersey offensive tackle prospect Malachi Goodman. Listed at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Goodman earned an offer from the Nittany Lions last fall and has long been considered one of the staff’s most important targets in the class.
A four-star prospect by both On3 and in the Industry Rankings, Goodman made it clear early in his recruitment that Penn State was in a good position, but a surge of elite scholarship offers from schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State and USC gave him a lot more to think about when it came time to take visits this past spring.
Each one of those schools ultimately hosted him on campus for at least one unofficial visit. Only Florida and Ohio State didn’t receive an official visit once the calendar turned to June. However, in recent weeks, Goodman made it clear that his decision would come down to Penn State, Auburn and USC.
“The biggest factor was development,” Goodman told On3. “The main reasons I committed to Penn State are the coaching staff, how I feel about the offensive line group and I like Coach [Phil Trautwein] a lot.”
He went on to add, “It was a pretty tough decision because of the top schools I was down to. I liked all of them and I could see myself going to each of them. I made my decision around last week.”
Link: Penn State adds 2026 offensive line target to Bowling Green visitor list
The addition of Goodman is a massive win for Trautwein, as he was hopeful of adding at least one more offensive tackle in this class. The combination of Goodman, along with Avon Old Farms tackle Owen Aliciene, gives the Nittany Lions two of the region’s top three tackles in the region. Only future Notre Dame lineman Will Black rates higher by On3.
” I really like Malachi Goodman,” said On3 Scouting Director Charles Power back in the spring. “He’s a guy that’s younger for the class. He could be a 2026 prospect, age-wise. But he has good size, good length and is very strong at the point of attack. He’s got good balance, too. I think he’s a solid athlete, not an overwhelming athlete, so I kind of see him as maybe more of a right tackle type. But he moves pretty well.
“We have him and Carter Lowe back-to-back and I think they’re very similar players. Both guys win with their length, their strength and balance, more so than just elite movement skills. They’re rock solid offensive tackle types. With Goodman, especially given his youth, I’m very interested to see how he continues to develop. He’s not going to turn 17 until late-July, so he’s still kind of a puppy from an age perspective.”
Goodman is now the top-ranked player in Penn State’s class according to the Industry Rankings, which slot him at No. 130 nationally. He’s the 11th-ranked offensive tackle nationally and third overall in New Jersey.
