Penn State starts Class of 2025 with commitment from OL Jaelyne Matthews
Penn State is off to a big start in its Class of 2025. On Monday, the Nittany Lions secured a commitment from Toms River (N.J.) North offensive lineman Jaelyne Matthews. The four-star prospect announced his decision on his Instagram following a trip to Penn State over the weekend.
The 6-foot-5.5, 275-pound prospect chose from a final five that consisted of Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Rutgers and the Nittany Lions. Matthews is the No. 42 overall prospect in the Class of 2025 according to the On3 Consensus rankings. In addition to his top five, Matthews has scholarship offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, West Virginia and others. He’s already been offered and accepted a spot in the 2025 Under Armour All-American Game.
Time was right for Matthews to commit
Matthews told BWI that the time was right for him to make a decision.
“I knew it was time,” he said. “I had this gut feeling and a peacefulness about my decision. This was the right timing for me I’m not the type to follow people’s trends.”
He’s the Nittany Lions’ first commitment in the Class of 2025 and his announcement comes just one year and a day after offensive lineman Cooper Cousins got the Class of 2024 started with a commitment. Matthews is the nation’s No. 3 offensive tackle and the top prospect in New Jersey in the cycle.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Biff Poggi
Charlotte firing head coach
- 2Hot
Skipping SEC title game
Coaches prefer sitting out
- 3
Predicting new CFP Top 12
BCS formula predicts 12-team bracket
- 4New
Kiffin calls out Saban
'He's now the rat poisoner'
- 5
Dabo rips refs
Swinney headed to 'Targeting Anonymous'
Matthews was at Penn State on Saturday for the Nittany Lions’ final Junior Day of January. It was his second time in Happy Valley. He spent a weekend in town last July. While in State College he worked out at camp and attended the Lasch Bash recruiting barbecue.
This time he got to see more and the staff took note of his progress.
“It was awesome,” he said of the trip. “Me and the coaches created a very good bond in the past few year with recruiting. They liked how I’ve matured as a young man and how I’ve trimmed my body up and turned my weight into more muscle.”
Penn State hoping to rebuild in the Garden State
Penn State has been uncharacteristically quiet in New Jersey in recent cycles. The Nittany Lions haven’t signed a Garden State product since the Class of 2020, when defensive lineman Amin Vanover inked with the program. Penn State brought in new Recruiting Coordinator for Personnel and Recruitment Khalil Ahmad last week. Ahmad has deep New Jersey ties as the Nittany Lions look to reestablish themselves in the neighboring state.
