Penn State Football: Nittany Lions 2023 Class Up to No. 3 in Nation

Penn State football’s 2023 recruiting class continues to rise in the national rankings as two recent commitments have boosted the Nittany Lions’ 2023 haul to No. 3 in the nation, according to the 247 Network’s rankings.

As of Monday afternoon Penn State’s 2023 class is 15 prospects deep, featuring 10 players that are at the five- or four-star level, according to the network. Offensive line talent Alex Birchmeier is the only five-star prospect of the bunch and was also the first verbal commitment of the class way back in July of 2021. Since then 14 other players have verbally committed bringing the Nittany Lions’ 2023 cycle to third in the nation behind Notre Dame and Ohio State.

The Fighting Irish currently lead the nation with a class also 15 players deep with just one five-star prospect of their own. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, sit at No. 2 in the nation with a 13-commit class that boasts two five-star recruits.

Penn State’s recent surge came following back-to-back verbal commitments by prospects from Alabama with defensive line talent Tomarrion Parker, and safety DaKaari Nelson both making the call in the past week. Safety Conrad Hussey rounds out – so far – the southern flare in Penn State’s usually northern-based recruiting class.

Currently rated at 229.35 in the 247 Network’s overall power rankings, Penn State’s 2023 class still falls shy of the final power ranking of the Nittany Lions’ 2018 class which finished No. 6 in the nation [285.92] with two five-star prospects in linebacker Micah Parsons and receiver Justin Shorter. If Penn State’s class manages to stay in the Top 10 by Signing Day, it would be the second-straight Top 10 finish for the program after the 2021 class finished rated the No. 8 overall – No. 6 in the 247 Network’s Composite rankings which take into account other recruiting services.

Elsewhere across college football, Alabama has just seven verbal commitments while Georgia has 12 and Texas and Clemson both sit at 14 verbal commitments. While class sizes are constantly changing, Penn State’s current 15 verbal commitments means the Nittany Lions could add nine or so more players. Linebacker prospect Tony Rojas is likely the next prospect to make the call and choose Penn State in the process.

His commitment is scheduled from July 5.