Pierce Petersohn decides today: Will the four-star pick Penn State?

Update: Penn State landed Pierce Petesohn on Wednesday. Read the commitment story here.

Original story:

Penn State Class of 2026 target Pierce Petersohn is set to make his college decision today. At the start of Wednesday, we know the 6-foot-5, 190-pound athlete’s list of finalists. But, the rest of the Dodge City, Minn., Triton High School’s plan is a bit unclear. What do we know, and what should Nittany Lions fans be watching for today as head coach James Franklin’s program hopes to add its first tight end in this recruiting cycle?

We break it down below.

When is Pierce Petersohn picking his college home?

Petersohn announced on Tuesday night that he was set to decide on Wednesday. But, he did not list a time to do so as of 7 a.m. ET. This space will be updated if and when more information becomes available about his announcement timeline.

Based on how his recruitment has gone so far, it’s likely that his choice will be revealed on social media. You can find his Twitter feed here and his Instagram page here.

Who are the contenders besides Penn State?

Petersohn is down to just two schools. He will decide between in-state Minnesota and the Nittany Lions. Iowa State was also in the mix. But, the Cyclones are not one of the finalists, per a post on Petersohn’s social media feeds last week.

The athlete, who the Lions like as a tight end that could follow the Tyler Warren route as a current high school quarterback, and who the Golden Gophers like as a linebacker, could play either side of the ball at the next level. Which side he will pick is as unclear as the school he will land on. But, his athleticism has both sides eager about his potential at the next level.

“He’s a do-it-all athlete for his high school,” On3 Scouting Director Charles Power previously told BWI. “He plays quarterback and plays safety. I think he probably projects best as a safety or linebacker at the next level, but I can see why Penn State has interest in him as a tight end. We have a lot to learn about Petersohn still, but he’s arguably the best multi-sport athlete in this class when I compare him to all the other linebackers, which is what we ranked him as.

“He’s an electric basketball player. I’m not exactly sure what he averaged this year, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was over 30 [points per game]. He can put his head on the rim. He also has a 6’10” high jump and you can really see that athleticism when watching his football film.”

The On3 Industry Rankings call Petersohn a four-star who is the nation’s No. 319 player, No. 21 linebacker, and No. 3 player in the state of Minnesota. On3’s own scouting team rates him higher than its peers do. In On3’s rankings, he is Nos. 201, 12, and 2, respectively.

What does the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine say?

As of 7 a.m. ET, no expert predictions have been logged in favor of either of Petersohn’s two finalists. Iowa State leads based on the algorithm that drives the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. But, as we noted, the Cyclones are not a finalist.

You’ll want to check The Lions Den forum throughout the day for more on which way Petersohn is leaning leading into his announcement.

What has Petersohn said about his finalists?

Petersohn, unlike many of his peers in the Class of 2026, has not done many interviews about his recruitment. He did catch up with BWI’s Sean Fitz following his trip to State College last weekend.

“It was good to get back out to campus and meet with the coaches some more and talk about what they see from me,” he said. “It was good to spend a couple of days there, not just one, like last time. I talked to the players more, current players and the recruits. I liked how good the coaches are on and off the field. They’re going to talk to you and they’re still going to make you the best person you can be.”

The good news is that Penn State got the last chance to impress Petersohn and his family. The bad news, of course, is that he went back to Minnesota without committing, meaning the Golden Gophers have one more chance to make a final push.

Where can I learn the latest on Petersohn announcement throughout the day?

Blue-White Illustrated subscribers can learn more all day long inside The Lions Den forum. Not a subscriber but want to become one? Follow THIS LINK to sign up for Blue-White Illustrated for just $1 for one week of access to premium team news, insider recruiting intel, the latest Penn State transfer portal news, the Lions Den message board, and so much more.