Where do Penn State's top 2026 recruits rank in updated On300?
Penn State is off to a strong start for its Class of 2026. Now, following Monday’s updated On300 for the class, there’s plenty of reason for Nittany Lion fans to dream big.
We’ll start with the players who are already committed, as Penn State now has five of its six commits firmly within the On300 following the addition of wide receiver Jahsiear Rogers. Previously, that number was just three, as edge rusher Daniel Jennings was ranked inside the On300 but was outside of the Top 175, which was the cut-off to be a four-star player in the initial rankings. Now, those four-star ratings have expanded to all 300 players on the list.
The top three ranked players in the class all remain in the same order, with offensive tackle Kevin Brown moving up to No. 23 in the nation after previously being ranked No. 27. If he stays within the Top 32 throughout his recruitment, Brown will eventually end up a five-star player.
However, Penn State’s next two players, running back Messiah Mickens and quarterback Troy Huhn, both dipped a bit in the most recent update. Mickens was previously ranked No. 88 and is now at No. 130 nationally and 14th overall at running back. Huhn was previously No. 58 nationally but has now dropped to No. 213 nationally and No. 19 at the quarterback position.
Notable additions to On300
Monday’s update was just as significant when it comes to regional prospects who could eventually be added to the class down the road. You won’t find many drastic changes at the top of the list, although it is notable that edge rusher Zion Elee is now the top-ranked player in the country.
However, a bit further down, you’ll find multiple prospects who camped at Penn State and are now making their debuts in the On300. That includes New Jersey defensive tackle Damari Simeon, who had just three Power Four offers from Boston College, Pitt and Syracuse by the time Penn State offered in June. Now, he’s not only up to 18 Power Four offers but is also ranked among the nation’s very best at No. 46 nationally, third overall at defensive tackle and No. 1 in New Jersey.
Spots 100 to 199 also feature two significant changes, as Ath. Joey O’Brien climbed more than 100 spots to No. 104 nationally, while New York wide receiver Messiah Hampton has climbed from a three-star player to firmly within the On300 at No. 166. He’s also one of the Top 25 wide receivers in the country.
Top 10
- 1Trending
Alabama AD
Greg Byrne fires back at chatter
- 2Hot
Projecting CFP Top 25
Controversy is coming
- 3
5 for Georgia transfer
Contenders for Julian Humphrey
- 4
ACC commish call out
Jim Phillips challenges CFP committee
- 5New
Kentucky coach on the move
Nebraska to hire UK asst.
Finally, in the final third of the list, you’ll find a few targets that Penn State is off to a great start with, including defensive end Jackson Ford (No. 218), linebacker Nick Abrams (No. 289) and cornerback Jaziel Hart (No. 292). Ford plays at Malvern Prep and just visited for the UCLA game a few weeks ago. Abrams is expected to be at the White Out game against Washington, while Hart plans to attend the season finale against Maryland.
2026 Penn State targets in updated On300
1) DE Zion Elee
5) OL Immanuel Iheanacho
13) CB Elbert Hill
17) TE Kendre Harrison
20) RB Savion Hiter
23) OL Kevin Brown
25) OL Darius Gray
32) DL Aiden Harris
36) CB Victor Singleton
37) OL Adam Guthrie
42) WR Calvin Russell
43) OL Samuel Roseborough
46) DL Damari Simeon
63) CB J’Vari Flowers
73) OL Tyler Merrill
75) LB Cincere Johnson
76) DL Titan Davis
79) CB Samari Matthews
85) WR Davian Groce
88) DE Jake Kreul
91) OL Gregory Patrick
Trimmings: Five up, five down through Penn State’s first half
104) Ath. Joey O’Brien
130) RB Messiah Mickens
134) RB Shahn Alston
138) WR Travis Johnson
143) OL Carter Scruggs
165) CB Dorian Barney
166) WR Messiah Hampton
172) Ath. Jakob Weatherspoon
173) OL Sam Greer
176) OL Ekene Ogboko
179) OL Marky Walbridge
189) DL Jermaine Kinsler
194) LB Kobe Clapper
Link: Top 100 DL prospect set to return to Penn State in November
206) Saf. Jireh Edwards
210) OL Ben Nichols
213) QB Troy Huhn
218) DE Jackson Ford
219) Ath. David Davis
229) TE Mack Sutter
232) WR Jahsiear Rogers
235) DL Daniel Jennings
239) WR Davion Brown
253) CB Khary Adams
261) DE Carter Meadows
274) DL Keshawn Stancil
289) LB Nick Abrams
292) CB Jaziel Hart
294) Ath. Jyron Hughley
298) Ath. Peyton Falzone
299) Ath. Damon Ferguson
300) TE JC Anderson
