Anthony Sacca, a highly regarded linebacker from St. Joe’s Prep and a Penn State legacy, appears to be heading elsewhere for college. Despite being the No. 2 in-state player and the 52nd overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, Sacca excluded Penn State from his top five schools list, which features Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Duke, and Wisconsin.
This decision comes as a surprise, considering Sacca’s familial ties to Penn State—his father being former quarterback Tony Sacca. Earlier in the week, Sacca mentioned that Penn State was still under consideration, but his finalized top schools now omit the Nittany Lions.
Sacca, who had been a frequent visitor to Penn State, recently visited Ohio State and Notre Dame. Although he expressed a positive meeting with new Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen, he acknowledged that Manny Diaz’s departure, who was his primary contact during the recruiting process, had an impact. Sacca also noted that Penn State’s already committed linebackers in the 2025 cycle might have influenced his decision.
Planning to solidify his spring visit schedule soon, Sacca aims to revisit Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Alabama. With a decision likely coming in the spring or early summer, it’s clear that Penn State is no longer in contention for the linebacker’s commitment.