Penn State National Signing Day Central - Live updates on the Class of 2025

Daryus Dixson
CB | 6-0 | 185 | Santa Ana, Calif.

Cornerback Daryus Dixson became the first high school prospect from California to commit to the Nittany Lions since linebacker Koa Farmer in 2014. Not only that, but he also plays for the undisputed best high school program in the country, Mater Dei, giving Penn State a major win at a school that turns out dozens of Division I prospects every year. Totaling 30 offers, Dixson made it clear throughout that his relationship with Terry Smith was among the strongest of any school, but he wasn’t able to see campus until his official visit, June 7-9.

Washington also hosted him for an official visit prior, but once he saw Penn State, Dixson passed up on his official visit to Tennessee, committing to the Nittany Lions on June 10. He finished his senior season with 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and two interceptions. Playing varsity all four seasons, he totaled 143 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions and 25 pass breakups. Dixson will enroll at Penn State in January. He’s a three-star prospect by On3 but holds a four-star rating in the Industry Rankings, coming in at No. 152 nationally, 17th at cornerback and 13th overall in California for his class.

Jahmir Joseph
CB | 6-0 | 185 | Montvale, N.J.

Jahmir Joseph emerged as a top prospect early on for Penn State, as the Nittany Lions offered him just as he was beginning his sophomore season in Aug. 2022. By that point, he had already visited once but then returned for the Blue-White Game in 2023 and the season opener against West Virginia. Stanford and Notre Dame joined PSU when it comes to official visits in June 2024, but it ultimately came down to the Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish. He credited his connection with PSU’s staff as the main thing that made a difference in the end.

Joseph totaled 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, 11 pass deflections, four interceptions and one blocked field goal during his senior season. He finished his high school career with 115 tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 34 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, two blocked punts and two blocked field goals. On3 rates him as a four-star prospect, coming in at No. 250 nationally and sixth overall in New Jersey.

Josh Johnson
Saf. | 6-2 | 185 | Ironton, Ohio

Penn State was the second Power Four program to offer Johnson when he attended a game in Nov. 2023. He wouldn’t visit again until May 2024, but by that point, it was clear that his relationship with Penn State was among the strongest he built. Iowa and Arkansas were also in the mix, but Louisville and Penn State were the only two schools he took official visits with. He was expected to commit to Penn State when he canceled his remaining official visits just a day after his visit, but he actually ended up committing to Louisville.

That decision was largely because it was close to home. However, Johnson had second thoughts as his season began and it coincided with the staff losing a commitment from Antonio Branch Jr. After an unofficial visit for the game against UCLA, Johnson announced his decision to flip to PSU on Oct. 14. In 12 games this season, Johnson has totaled 53 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions. Ironton is set to face Liberty Center Saturday in the OHSAA Division Four championship game. He’s a three-star prospect by On3.

Braswell Thomas
Saf. | 6-2 | 185 | Cape May, N.J.

Braswell Thomas was a regular visitor to Penn State throughout 2023, visiting six times in seven months from March to September. However, it was his decision to camp with the staff in June 2024 that changed everything about his recruitment, as Thomas put together one of the more impressive workouts of any prospect this past summer.

That immediately led to Thomas taking an official visit June 21-23. He ended up committing then before leaving campus. The Pleasantville prospect earned 15 scholarship offers. He took an official visit to West Virginia, while schools like Florida, Georgia, Rutgers and Tennessee also hosted him for unofficial visits. Thomas missed his senior season after suffering an arm injury at Penn State’s Whiteout Camp in July. He plans to enroll at Penn State in January. He holds a three-star rating by On3.

Cam Smith
LB | 6-0 | 200 | Salem, N.J.

After two years at Salem High School in New Jersey, Cam Smith transferred to Pennsylvania powerhouse St. Joseph’s Prep ahead of his junior season. He played a key role in St. Joseph’s Prep winning a PIAA 6A state championship in 2023, totaling 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception that season. Penn State was always the team to beat in his recruitment, but with Alex Tatsch and DJ McClary already committed in Feb. 2024, Penn State wasn’t quite ready to add another linebacker in the class, which led to Smith committing to Duke.

However, that changed this past summer when McClary switched his commitment to Rutgers, opening the door for Smith to join the class in August. Smith is a three-star prospect by On3 but holds a four-star rating in On3’s Industry Rankings, coming in at No. 295 nationally and No. 8 overall in Pennsylvania. He and his Prep teammates will play for another PIAA state championship this Saturday, Dec. 7, against Central Catholic. In 11 games, Smith had totaled 58 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two pass deflections this season.

LaVar Arrington II
DE/LB | 6-3 | 210 | Covina, Calif.

Penn State has signed its fair share of legacy prospects over the years, but you won’t find many who have the kind of name recognition that comes with LaVar Arrington II. Throughout his recruitment, the hybrid linebacker/edge rusher totaled 17 scholarship offers, but he ultimately narrowed his list down to Penn State, Tennessee and UCLA this past summer.

All three of those schools earned official visits, but the attraction of carrying on his father’s legacy was too strong for any other school to ultimately win out. Arrington is considered a three-star prospect by On3 but holds a four-star rating in On3’s Industry Rankings, coming in at No. 276 nationally and 24th overall in California for his class. This season, he had 45 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. He finished his high school career with 145 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and 24 quarterback hurries.

Alex Tatsch
LB | 6-2 | 215 | Latrobe, Pa.

Penn State extended an offer to Greater Latrobe linebacker Alex Tatsch in Oct. 2023. By that point, schools like Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin all had his interest, but the Nittany Lions almost immediately became the team to beat when he visited five times in five months. There was a little bit of drama late, as Notre Dame extended an offer to Tatsch when it became clear that he was close to committing, but that wasn’t enough to keep him from announcing his commitment to Penn State in Feb. 2024.

Tatsch is now considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the country, coming in at No. 152 nationally, No. 17 at his position and No. 4 overall in Pennsylvania. A shoulder injury cut his senior season short, but he totaled 40 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception in five games. On offense, he had 56 carries for 716 yards and eight touchdowns. Tatsch plans to enroll at Penn State in January.

Yvan Kemajou
DL | 6-3 | 240 | Burtonsville, Md.

Yvan Kemajou totaled 16 scholarship offers. Penn State extended its offer in Dec. 2023 and was able to get him on campus a month later for a junior day visit. That would end up being his only visit to State College until he took an official visit May 31-June 2. Duke, Indiana, Rutgers and Virginia Tech also hosted him for official visits in the summer, but Penn State was able to get him back on campus for the Lasch Bash in July and Kemajou went on to commit a few days later on July 31. A three-star prospect, Kemajou is the 40th-ranked defensive end, although we expect him to be an interior defensive lineman at Penn State. He’ll enroll at Penn State in January and totaled 63 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks in 10 games this season.

Chaz Coleman
DE | 6-4 | 220 | Warren, Ohio

Chaz Coleman primarily played quarterback during his time Warren Harding High School. However, after a coaching change, his new staff tried him at defensive end his senior season and he didn’t disappoint, totaling 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and 21 quarterback hurries. His film immediately grabbed the attention of top schools. Penn State offered Coleman in September, joining schools like Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ole Miss and others.

Ohio State then offered Coleman a week after he committed to Penn State on Nov. 10, and it looked as if he may take an official visit to Columbus just before signing day. However, the Nittany Lions were ultimately able to secure his commitment and keep him from visiting. Coleman also made a massive jump in the rankings, joining the On300 this fall. He’s now ranked No. 191 nationally, No. 19 at defensive end and No. 8 in Ohio.

Randy Adirika
DL | 6-3 | 280 | Miami, Fla.

Penn State extended a scholarship offer to defensive tackle Randy Adirika in Feb. 2023 but they didn’t get the opportunity to host the Miami Central prospect on campus until April 2024 for the Blue-White Game. That visit set the Nittany Lions up to host him for an official visit in June. He also went to Miami and USC, and many believed that Adirika would ultimately end up at Miami. That all changed on July 9 when he chose the Nittany Lions instead. This past season, Adirika finished with 32 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, six sacks and one fumble recovery. He’s also expected to enroll at Penn State in January. He’s a three-star prospect by On3.

Cortez Harris
DE | 6-2 | 200 | Upper Marlboro, Md. 

Harris earned an offer from the Nittany Lions in March 2023. He then visited for the first time that September before returning for a junior day visit in Jan. 2024. By the spring, Harris repeatedly made it clear that Penn State, Maryland and Tennessee were the three schools standing out the most and those three ultimately ended up being the schools he took official visits to in June.

Penn State was the last of those three to host him and he ended up committing before leading campus on June 23. Due to a knee injury and a few games being canceled, Harris played in just four games his senior season. He finished with 15 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one touchdown return on a blocked kick. Harris holds a three-star rating by On3.

Dayshaun Burnett
DE | 6-3 | 215 | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dayshaun Burnett earned an offer from Penn State in June 2022. The Imani Christian prospect earned 16 scholarship offers and took unofficial visits to Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin. However, by the time he committed to Penn State in Feb. 2024, Burnett had taken seven visits to State College, which made it pretty clear that the Nittany Lions were the team to beat.

This season, Burnett totaled 75 tackles, 21 quarterback hurries, 11.5 sacks and eight pass breakups defensively. He also caught 34 receptions for 564 yards and nine touchdowns playing tight end.  Burnett is expected to enroll at Penn State in January. He earned Fabulous 22 honors from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in both 2023 and 2024 and holds a three-star rating by On3.

Brian Kortovich
TE | 6-4 | 225 | Cleveland, Ohio

The Nittany Lions already have one of the most athletic tight end rooms in the country and they were able to add to that just before signing day with the addition of Ohio native Brian Kortovich on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Back in June, Kortovich caught the staff’s attention with an excellent showing at their camp. But when an offer didn’t immediately follow, Kortovich committed to Purdue and held firm with that until it became clear that the Boilermakers would be making a coaching change.

An official visit to Penn State during the final week of the season ultimately sealed the deal. Kortovich is a member of the On300, coming in at No. 238 nationally. He’s the 13th-ranked tight end and No. 9 in Ohio for his class. He’ll enroll at Penn State in January.

Bekkem Kritza
QB | 6-5 | 190 | Boulder, Col.

Bekkem Kritza spent time at four different high schools throughout the past four years, playing in Colorado, California and Florida. His senior season was supposed to be an opportunity for stability, but when he was benched for another quarterback a few games into the season at Miami Central, Kritza transferred again, this time ending up at another South Florida powerhouse: Chaminade Madonna.

Since making that move, he has performed well, totaling 885 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and one interception in six games. He also has the Lions back in the FHSAA 1A semifinals, where they’ll face Trinity Christian Academy this upcoming weekend, Dec. 6. A three-star prospect, Kritza is expected to enroll at Penn State in January.

Jabree Wallace-Coleman
RB | 6-0 | 210 | Philadelphia, Pa.

Jabree Wallace-Coleman has been a mainstay in Imhotep’s backfield over the past four seasons, totaling 4,140 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns. He also had 561 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Over that stretch, he helped Imhotep to a 46-7 record, including a 15-0 season his junior season that ended in a PIAA 5A state championship. Throughout his recruitment, Wallace-Coleman earned 21 scholarship offers, which included schools like Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

However, it was Georgia that first earned his attention, as Wallace-Coleman committed to Kirby Smart and his staff in July 2022. However, he opened up his recruitment in December 2023 and ultimately took official visits to Penn State and North Carolina in June 2023 before committing to Penn State on June 22. Wallace holds a four-star rating by On3. He’s ranked No. 167 nationally, 10th overall at running back and sixth in Pennsylvania.

Tiqwai Hayes
RB | 5-10 | 190 | Aliquippa, Pa.

Tiqwai Hayes will go down as one of the most productive running backs in WPIAL history, totaling nearly 7,000 yards over four seasons and 95 touchdowns. Those numbers could’ve been even higher if he didn’t miss a handful of games this past season with a knee injury. Despite that, he was still a three-time Fab 22 selection by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He also won the Mr. Pa Football Award following a junior season that ended with more than 2,100 yards rushing and a PIAA 4A state championship.

Aliquippa went 49-5 during his four seasons. Hayes earned a three-star rating by On3 and is the 31st-ranked running back nationally, 10th overall in Pennsylvania. Hayes earned 19 scholarship offers before committing to Penn State in September 2023. He chose the Nittany Lions over Ohio State, Pitt and West Virginia and is planning to enroll at Penn State in January.

Matthew Outten
WR | 6-1 | 210 | Portsmouth, Va.

You won’t find many players whose recruitment was as quiet as Matthew Outten’s. We know Penn State was the third Power Four program to offer him back in Nov. 2023, and while a host of other schools followed early in 2024, it always felt as if Outten was likely to stay close to home. Sure enough, after official visits to Penn State, Maryland and Virginia Tech, the I.C. Norcom prospect surprised many when he committed to Virginia Tech on July 1.

But Outten was also a top target for Penn State’s staff throughout, which is why they never stopped pursuing him. Those efforts paid off in early September when he announced his flip to the Nittany Lions. While Outten holds a three-star rating by On3, he’s a four-star prospect in the Industry rankings, coming in at No. 267 nationally and fifth overall in Virginia. Outten totaled 28 receptions for 641 yards and four receiving touchdowns during the regular season of his senior year. He plans to enroll at Penn State in January.

Koby Howard
WR | 5-11 | 190 | Davie, Fla.

Howard was offered by Penn State in June 2022, but after breaking both his tibia and fibula his sophomore year, many schools pressed pause on his recruitment to see how he’d bounce back. At Western High School in Davie, Fla., he totaled 1,065 yards receiving and eight touchdowns during his junior season, sparking interest from many schools again, but it wasn’t until he took official visits to Penn State and Ole Miss this past summer that it became clear who the real contenders were.

Even after that, the Nittany Lions had to sort some things out, but when they brought him back for the Lasch Bash Barbecue in July, that’s when it became clear that he was a take, committing to the Nittany Lions on Aug. 2. Unfortunately for Howard, a broken hand limited him to just a couple games following a transfer to Chaminade Madonna for his senior season. However, the cast has been removed now and Howard is expected to enroll at Penn State in January. He holds a three-star rating by On3.

Jeff Exinor
WR | 6-2 | 215 | Baltimore, Md. 

Jeff Exinor is the next in a long line of prospects from McDonogh who have come to Penn State in recent years. Although he holds a three-star rating by On3, Exinor is a four-star prospect in On3’s Industry Rankings, which combine 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals with On3 for a cumulative grade. He finished at No. 398 nationally and 12th overall in Maryland. This past season, Exinor finished with 30 receptions for 463 yards and six touchdowns.

While those stats are down a bit from previous years, that was largely because Exinor stepped up for his team to play quarterback for a handful of games when their starter was injured midway through the season. Over the past three seasons, he totaled 154 catches for 2,177 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. Earning 20 total scholarship offers, Exinor always had Penn State among his top options. He took official visits to Maryland and Virginia Tech but ultimately committed to PSU on June 28.

Lyrick Samuel
WR | 6-4 | 175 | Brooklyn, N.Y.

Samuel earned an offer from Penn State in May 2023. By that point, the Erasmus Hall prospect had already visited with the staff three times, but it was his camp performance in June of that year that took him from a player they were interested in to one of the staff’s top targets in the class. Schools like Michigan State, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia all showed interest, but seven visits to Penn State in 10 months put the Nittany Lions in the driver’s seat to ultimately earn his commitment in Feb. 2024.

Samuel holds a four-star rating by On3. He’s the 43rd-ranked wide receiver and the No. 1 prospect in New York for his class. Injuries derailed his senior season, but he totaled 27 receptions for 693 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and had  22 receptions for 422 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore. Samuel will enroll at Penn State in January.

Owen Aliciene
OL | 6-8 | 260 | Avon, Conn.

Owen Aliciene didn’t begin playing football until his sophomore year at Avon Old Farms. Despite still being new to the sport, that didn’t stop schools from pursuing him right away, as the 6-foot-8, 260-pound tackle prospect earned a dozen scholarship offers before the start of his junior season. Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Pitt and Rutgers all hosted him for visits, but Penn State also emerged as a favorite almost right away.

No school hosted him more than Penn State, as he and his family traveled to State College four times in 10 months leading up to his commitment in January 2024. Aliciene holds a four-star rating by On3 and is a member of the On300 at No. 235 nationally. He’s the 20th-ranked offensive tackle in the class and the second-ranked prospect in Connecticut. He’ll also enroll at Penn State in January.

Michael Troutman
OL | 6-2 | 280 | Wayne, N.J.

Michael Troutman earned an offer from Penn State in May 2023. He then visited Penn State four times in just over six months. During that same stretch, he went to Rutgers for a handful of visits, but once it was clear that Phil Trautwein and the staff were open to taking his commitment during a Feb. 3 visit for a junior day, Troutman wasted little time, committing to Penn State just over a week later on Feb. 11, 2024. The 6-foot-2, 280-pound lineman is expected to play center for the Nittany Lions. Troutman is also planning to enroll at Penn State in January. He holds a three-star rating by On3.

Brady O’Hara
OL | 6-6 | 250 | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Brady O’Hara was one of the first players to commit to Penn State in this class, ending his recruitment in Sept. 2023. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, O’Hara played tight end at North Catholic High School outside of Pittsburgh, but he’s expected to play offensive tackle once he arrives at Penn State next summer. Pitt, Wisconsin and West Virginia also extended early offers and were able to host him and his family for at least one visit each, but they also visited Penn State six times leading up to his commitment. O’Hara holds a three-star rating from On3. He’s the 24th-ranked player overall in Pennsylvania.

Malachi Goodman
OL | 6-5 | 315 | Paramus, N.J.

Malachi Goodman is Penn State’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2025. Ranked No. 46 nationally by On3 and No. 8 overall at offensive tackle, Goodman earned more than 30 scholarship offers, many of which came from the best programs in the country. After taking official visits to Penn State, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and USC in June 2024, the Paramus Catholic prospect ultimately narrowed it down to PSU, Auburn and USC. He took a few months to decide but eventually credited his relationship with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, along with his success at developing NFL linemen, as the key reason for his commitment, which took place on Sept. 3, 2024.

Xxavier Thomas
CB | 5-11 | 170 | Canonsburg, Pa.

Cornerback Xxavier Thomas wasted no time committing to Penn State. Last year, both Terry Smith and James Franklin extended an offer to Thomas on National Signing Day, Dec. 20. He basically committed on the spot, although with all the news that day, his commitment wasn’t announced until Dec. 21.

The Central Catholic prospect had a very good showing at Penn State’s camp the summer prior, and after scouting his junior season film, the staff didn’t want to miss out on a player that they believe has similar qualities to Daequan Hardy, another Western Pennsylvania native. Thomas only claimed one offer from Akron before he committed. He holds a three-star rating by On3. Ahead of Central Catholic’s PIAA 6A state championship game against St. Joseph’s Prep this weekend, Thomas has totaled 19 tackles and six interceptions this season.

Matt Henderson
TE | 6-5 | 208 | Powhatan, Va.

Penn State has found its fair share of hidden gems over the years. Although he’s now considered a four-star prospect, tight end Matt Henderson had just two offers from Power Four programs – Michigan State and Syracuse – when Penn State offered in late April. Within days, Maryland, Pitt and Virginia Tech also offered the Powhatan prospect, while many others also took notice and started showing interest.

However, Henderson already knew where he wanted to play, as he ended up committing to Penn State just two weeks after earning the offer on May 8. Henderson finished his senior season with 48 receptions for 724 yards and eight touchdowns. For his career, he racked up 146 catches, 2,267 yards and 28 touchdowns. He’s ranked as a four-star prospect by On3 and a member of the On300 at No. 247 nationally. He’s the 15th-ranked tight end in the class and No. 6 overall in Virginia.

Franklin: “This is an exciting day, obviously, for our football program, but more importantly, for the young men and their families. We’re still waiting to kind of hear on a couple guys this morning that we’re hopeful for. But I think you also know, for the most part, we don’t have a whole lot of drama on Signing Day. We take a lot of pride in that, lot of communication, a lot of transparency, and usually, knock on wood. We don’t have a whole lot of issues.”