Dominate The State: Penn State adds four-star DL Jameial Lyons
Penn State picked up commitment No. 10 in the Class of 2023 Friday in four-star defensive end Jameial Lyons.
A native of Philadelphia, Lyons earned an offer from the Nittany Lions last July when he put up some impressive numbers at Penn State’s final summer camp. At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Lyons ran a 4.8-second 40-yard dash and an even more impressive 4.5-second 20-yard shuttle. Penn State would end up offering immediately, and he’s been one of the staff’s top defensive line targets ever since.
Lyons would end up staying for the Lasch Basch barbecue the following day, followed by four additional visits, three of which have taken place since the end of January.
This one was just a matter of time.
“When I dropped my top five, I really had two schools in mind with West Virginia and Penn State. At one point, I’m not going to lie, I had West Virginia as my top pick, but then I started comparing things. Who had the best academics? Who produces guys for the NFL? Stuff like that.
“I also had a talk with Coach [James] Franklin one day and he was really telling me why the best in PA need to stay in PA. I promise you, when he said that, it really clicked with me. That’s when I knew I was supposed to stay here.”
Committing to Penn State wasn’t so much a surprise compared to the timing of it. Just two weeks prior, Lyons told BWI that he planned to make a decision on August 4. He also had official visits locked in with Illinois and West Virginia, while Pitt had just gotten him on campus for a visit a few days prior.
Related: Penn State’s Complete Visitor List for Saturday’s Blue-White Game
“Me and my mom were just talking and I told her that I already knew where I wanted to go. My heart was already locked in,” Lyons said. “She told me that she would support that 1000 percent, knowing that I’d be safe there.
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“So, I went up to Penn State Monday (April 18) with my head coach and some teammates….I got to spend more time with the coaching staff, and me and my head coach sat down with Coach Franklin and that’s when I gave him the good news. The coaching staff was so proud of me.
“We called my mom and tears were coming down her face. I never felt a joy like that inside, knowing that I’m doing something good. Where I’m from, I could be doing a lot of other stuff, but I’m out here chasing dreams, trying to provide for my family. I’m not going to lie, it kind of brought tears to my eyes, too. It’s a dream. A lot of people work for this. I’m so thankful.”
With Neeo Avery no longer committed – he was expected to play defensive end – Lyons is the second defensive linemen to commit to Penn State’s Class of 2023, joining Virginia native Mathias Barnwell. Lyons is expected to be an edge rusher, while Barnwell will focus more so inside.
According to the On3 Consensus, Lyons is a three-star player, ranking No. 473 nationally and No. 13 in Pennsylvania. However, our scouts at On3 have him ranked much higher at No. 244 nationally and fourth overall in Pennsylvania, making him a four-star.
