Penn State Football’s Predicted to Land Multiple 2024 Prospects on Defense

If you are not familiar with the world of college football recruiting, the term crystal ball might not mean much to you. However, in college football recruiting a crystal ball is a prediction that is made that a player will commit to a specific school. They can be placed by site experts at 247sports, Rivals, and On3 and the higher the confidence level is, the more likely the player will end up at this school. Recently, Penn State has had multiple crystal balls be placed in for several 2024 star defensive recruits.

Currently, the Nittany Lions have one defensive line prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, that would be Xavier Gilliam who is a 3-star prospect from Columbia, Maryland. But others may be on the way soon.

Starting with 4-star defensive lineman Benedict Umeh. A crystal ball has been placed by 247sports’ Brian Dohn with a confidence level of 6 that Umeh will commit to Penn State. This comes after Umeh’s official visit to Penn State this past weekend.

He will likely play defensive tackle in college but he is a special talent. On film, he has shown his explosiveness and nose for the football. If defensive line coach Deion Barnes can close the deal here, it would be a massive addition to the 2024 recruiting class. Penn State On3 insider Ryan Snyder has also placed an expert prediction that Benedict Umeh will end up with the Nittany Lions.

https://twitter.com/On3Recruits/status/1671159115891240962?s=20

Additionally, two crystal balls have been placed for 2024 defensive tackle De’Andre Cook. He is a 3-star prospect out of Washington, DC. The crystal balls have been placed by 247sports Brian Dohn and Lions247 Tyler Calvaruso both with a confidence level of 6. 

Cook was on campus at Penn State over this past weekend for his official visit and all signs show that the visit went extremely well. When you turn on his tape, it’s scary how fast he can get to the quarterback at 6’4 260 lbs. If he commits to Penn State, I feel Cook will need a year or two before making an impact. However, with the correct coaching, he could be a dominant defensive lineman in the future.

Another defensive tackle prospect that has been crystal balled to Penn State is Deyvid Palepale who will make his commitment on July 1st. A crystal ball has been placed by 247sports Brian Dohn that Palepale will commit to Penn State with a confidence level of 6.

Paleple is a 3-star prospect according to 247sports, and he stands at 6’3 288lbs. It is worth noting that Penn State is in a battle with Michigan for this prospect; however, Palepale is from Landisville, PA so hopefully, the Penn State staff can keep him in his home state.

Finally, another prospect that is in favor to end up at Penn State is defensive tackle T.A. Cunningham a 4-star defensive tackle from Miami, Florida. A crystal ball has been placed by Lions247’s Tyler Calvaruso with a confidence level of 6. He is a massive prospect (literally) as he stands at 6’5 265. On tape, he uses his big frame and long arms to create leverage when trying to find the football. Cunningham would be a great addition to the 2024 recruiting class.

Coach Franklin and the Penn State coaching staff are looking to load up on defensive line prospects in the 2024 class. A common theme among these players is they are all over 6’3. If they can seal the deal with each of these prospects, the defensive line will be scary for years to come.