Class of 2028 recruiting is picking up for Penn State football. The Nittany Lions have hosted a series of camps and workouts for younger high school prospects aside from their 2027 targets, including a blue-chip edge rusher.
George Parkinson IV is a four-star recruit, per Rivals Industry Rating, who is ranked No. 99 nationally and No. 11 at edge rusher.
While head coach Matt Campbell didn't do so hot in Pennsylvania in his first recruiting cycle at Penn State, he's already making good impressions on some of the state's best recruits. Parkinson IV is ranked No. 2 in the state.
Over the weekend, he took his sixth unofficial visit to Happy Valley and third visit since Campbell was hired. He was previously on campus for a spring practice visit on April 23 and was also in attendance at the Nittany Lions' Junior Day on Jan. 24.
Had a great time in Happy Valley yesterday. It was great to hang with the coaches and compete in the cornhole tournament, @CoachMC_PSU and I teamed up. #WEARE @PennStateFball @CoachSmith_9 @dantonlynn @CoachTerryPSU @MalloeMalloe @TysonVeidt @DerekHoodjer @TrentSlattenow… pic.twitter.com/gxlER0dmHn
— George Parkinson IV (@ParkinsonIV) June 21, 2026
Four-star edge rusher George Parkinson IV says Penn State is "a top contender" for his commitment
Penn State isn't the only school Parkinson IV's expressed interest in. He's taken multiple visits to Ohio State (four) and Oregon (two) as well as seeing 10 other programs once (Notre Dame, Michigan, Virginia Tech, etc.).
Visiting the Nittany Lions a whopping six times already, though, makes it clear that the blue and white are at the top of his list. The edge rusher continues building his relationships with the staff, including Campbell and defensive ends coach Christian Smith, and the staff is reflecting that shared mutual interest.
"Penn State is definitely a top contender in my decision," Parkinson IV told Lions247.
Though it's still too early to gauge where Parkinson IV's head is at, Rivals predictions have Penn State leading with a 31.9 percent chance to land him. Assuming all goes well in the meantime, he will likely be on campus for a game day visit and an official visit next June, not to mention other unofficial visits he takes between now and then.
Similar to how Campbell didn't do well in Pennsylvania in the 2027 cycle, he also didn't win many recruiting battles for edge rushers in the class. Parkinson IV, who's the top defensive end in the state, would help redeem Campbell moving forward from this current cycle.
The Nittany Lions' 2027 class contains four-star Elijah Guertin and three-star Carter Blattner as their only edge rushers. Their 2028 class currently holds two commits, four-star cornerback Deonte Flemings Jr. and kicker Carter Petri, and Campbell hopes to build on this with more touted prospects, including Parkinson IV.
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