Penn State picks up another commitment from four-star wide receiver Jeff Exinor
Penn State has picked up one of its top wide receiver targets in the Class of 2025, adding McDonogh’s Jeff Exinor to its class on Friday evening. Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Exinor earned an offer from the Nittany Lions in April 2021. Not only was it the first offer he ever earned, but it came before he ever played a game at the high school level.
That was largely due to a personal relationship that Exinor and his family have with Penn State’s Director of Player Personnel, Kenny Sanders.
“Kenny is a friend of my late uncle, David Lunn Jr.,” Exinor told BWI previously. “They both went to McDonogh together and were very close. So, I’ve known Kenny since I was born and we have an amazing relationship.”
However, the Nittany Lion coaching staff still had to prove that Penn State was the right school for him. Earning 20 scholarship offers, Exinor visited more than 10 schools over the course of his recruitment. Duke, Michigan State, North Carolina, Pitt, Tennessee, USC and West Virginia all got him on campus at least once, but his recruitment eventually came down to Penn State, Maryland and Virginia Tech, with all three earning official visits. In the end, the Terps proved to be PSU’s top competitor.
Inside Lasch: Recapping Penn State’s recruiting run and what we’re watching
“It really came down to Maryland and Penn State,” Exinor said. “For me, I just felt like Penn State put me in a better position to achieve my dream of playing in the NFL. Talking with Coach Kotelnicki, my meeting with him was very eye-opening. He told me about his scheme, but when we had a one-on-one meeting, he emphasized my play style and how I could do a little bit of everything at my size. He said he’ll put me in positions to showcase my talent, whether that’s in the slot, inside, outside, on go routes or short screens. They really make sure that they utilize all their playmakers to the best of their ability and push the ball downfield.”
Of course, Penn State has been excellent when it comes to recruiting prospects from McDonogh over the years. The current roster features three players who have come out of the program, including current starters Dani Dennis-Sutton and Dvon Ellies. Redshirt freshman defensive end Mason Robinson also joined the program in 2023. He ended up hosting Exinor for his official visit.
“I loved just how honest everybody was with me,” Exinor said. “There was absolutely zero sugarcoating and everything was just so genuine. My host was Mason Robinson, and we are boys. We went to the same high school, so it was great to catch up. He just talked about how normal student life is there.”
Exinor holds a four-star rating in the On3 Industry Rankings. He’s currently ranked No. 345 nationally, No. 52 at wide receiver and ninth overall in Maryland for the 2025 class. The Nittany Lions are currently ranked No. 13 nationally in On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings.
Join Blue White Illustrated Today
Blue-White Illustrated provides just what passionate Penn State fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Nittany Lions athletics and recruiting.
Join the best Penn State fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:
- Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love from the experts that you trust.
- Immediate access to any Nittany Lions breaking news.
- Exclusive insider reports and year-round team info as well as board Q&A’s with the BWI staff.
- Film-room discussion to take you inside the game.
- High-level discourse with the most passionate and informed Nittany Lions fans across multiple board forums.
- Market-leading team analysis for those who are looking to increase their understanding of the ins and outs of Penn State football and athletics.
- An industry-leading mobile app that sends the latest news right to your phone.
- So much more!
