Three-Star Edge Rusher Commits to Penn State

Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class continues to gain ground.

The Nittany Lions on Wednesday afternoon picked up a commitment from three-star edge rusher Elijah Reeder, who was formerly committed to Iowa State. Reeder ranks as the No. 8 recruit out of New Jersey, No. 50 edge rusher and No. 496 overall player in his class, per the 247Sports composite.

He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and becomes Penn State’s first commitment at the position since hiring edge rushers coach Christian Smith on Jan. 9. Reeder spent the last four seasons with Central Regional High School in Bayville, totaling 50 tackles, 19 for loss, and eight sacks as a senior in 2025.

The Cyclones were the only school to offer Reeder initially, but he decommitted after Matt Campbell was hired at Penn State and picked up offers from the Nittany Lions, as well as Missouri, in recent weeks.

Penn State’s class is now up to 15 members and ranks No. 72 nationally and 17th in the Big Ten. Factoring in both the recruiting and transfer classes, Penn State is up to 50 incoming players, a group that ranks No. 57 nationally and No. 15 in the conference.