Penn State football had a successful Saturday with recruitment. It picked up a commitment from three-star safety Jonathan Galette and surprised a four-star target.
Penn State triumphs in the Big Ten for 3-star safety following spring visit
The Nittany Lions hosted safety Malaki Taufoou on April 18 during a spring practice. The San Mateo, Calif. native has offers from California, Washington, and Oregon — all of which are top options of his. Penn State made that a trio a quartet.
"They definitely exceeded all expectations," Taufoou told Tyler Calvaruso of 247Sports.
Penn State impress four-star safety Malaki Taufoou on spring practice visit
Taufoou is the No. 393 recruit from the Class of 2027, per 247Sports Composite rankings. He is also listed at No. 35 both among safeties and prospects from California. Rivals Industry Ranking has Taufoou ranked as a three-star at No. 391, No. 35, and No. 33, respectively.
The safety has four official visits lined up. He's set to be back in Happy Valley over the weekend of June 5, the first of his current three-weekend schedule. Taufoou will see Arizona that same weekend as Penn State as well. California (June 11) and Washington (June 19) follow up that stacked weekend.
The Golden Bears and Huskies are projected above the Nittany Lions to land Taufoou. Rivals has California leading with a 35.4 percent chance with Washington second with a 22.4 percent chance. Penn State holds a 15.5 percent chance.
In 2025, the safety registered 46 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three passes defensed across 14 games at Junipero Serra High School. He also had four interceptions returned for 36 total yards.
If committed to Penn State, he'll joins a 13th-ranked Class of 2027 that consists of nine players so far. Galette is the only safety in the class as of Saturday and was the fourth defensive back to commit. Three-star cornerbacks Ka'ron Ceasar, Zachary Gleason Jr., and Semajay Robinson make up the rest of that position room. Linebacker Blake Betton and defensive lineman Carter Blatner are the other players committed on that side of the ball.
Add us as a preferred source on Google