The four most crucial recruiting targets for Penn State football’s 2026 class.

James Franklin’s Penn State team may have a bye week after their 33-30 overtime win against USC last Saturday, but the head coach remains busy. While preparing for Week 9’s matchup at Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium, Franklin is also focused on recruiting, a constant effort with no downtime.

Recently, Penn State secured a commitment from three-star 2025 cornerback Josh Johnson, bringing the 2025 class to 25 players. According to 247Sports, this class is currently ranked 14th nationally and 4th in the Big Ten, trailing Ohio State, Oregon, and USC.

With early signing day for the 2025 class approaching in less than two months, Franklin’s focus is shifting toward the 2026 class. So far, Penn State has secured six commitments for 2026, including four-star quarterback Troy Huhn and Pennsylvania’s No. 2-ranked player, offensive tackle Kevin Brown. Thanks to Franklin’s ability to secure early commitments, the 2026 class ranks fourth nationally.

With several key positions already filled for 2026, here are the four most important recruiting targets for Penn State’s 2026 class who have expressed strong interest in joining the Nittany Lions.

Khary Adams, CB
4-Star | Towson, MD | 6’2″ 175 lbs
Penn State has faced a depth issue at cornerback after losing Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy to the NFL. This led James Franklin to bolster the position by bringing in two former SEC cornerbacks, AJ Harris and Jalen Kimber, through the transfer portal. While Harris still has multiple years of eligibility, Penn State needs to continue adding talent to its cornerback group.

In 2025, Franklin already has commitments from four-star corners Daryus Dixson and Jahmir Joseph, but the position remains a priority for 2026. Khary Adams, one of the top options, is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 52 overall player and the seventh-best cornerback in the 2026 class.

Matt Sieg, S
4-Star | McDonald, PA | 5’11” 180 lbs
To make Tom Allen’s defense thrive, Penn State needs more than just cornerbacks. The new defensive coordinator prefers a three-safety system, and depth at safety has been tested with Kevin Winston Jr.’s season-ending injury.

Matt Sieg presents an exciting option to help fill that need, as Penn State’s safety rotation has already seen freshmen like Dejuan Lane take significant snaps. Sieg, a consensus four-star recruit, is ranked as the third-best player in Pennsylvania by 247Sports. He has shown strong interest in Penn State, attending games against West Virginia, Bowling Green, and planning to return for their Week 10 clash with Ohio State.

JC Anderson, TE
4-Star | Mt. Zion, IL | 6’6″ 230 lbs
Penn State’s first-year offensive coordinator, Andy Kotelnicki, may not be around long as his stock rises for head coaching roles, but if he stays beyond 2026, he’ll likely want a versatile tight end in the offense. Senior Tyler Warren has thrived under Kotelnicki, and while JC Anderson doesn’t share Warren’s quarterback background, he would still be an excellent fit for the Nittany Lions.

Even before Kotelnicki’s arrival, James Franklin has had great success developing tight ends like Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, and Theo Johnson into NFL talent. In 2024, Penn State brought in five-star Luke Reynolds, who has already made an impact as a true freshman. Anderson, a consensus top-10 tight end in the 2026 class and a top-125 player nationally, included Penn State in his top 10 and attended the Lasch Bash, the Nittany Lions’ premier summer recruiting event.

Zion Elee, DE
5-Star | Baltimore, MD | 6’3″ 220 lbs
Zion Elee, ranked as the No. 2 player in the nation for the 2026 class, was once considering Penn State among his top choices. However, after revisiting his options, Elee shifted his focus toward SEC schools like Auburn and Alabama, which have become his priorities.

Despite this, Penn State’s proximity to Elee’s hometown and its proven success in developing edge rushers for both college football and the NFL mean that James Franklin and his staff could still remain contenders in Elee’s recruitment.