Penn State football earned its first Class of 2027 commitment on Saturday, March 29 in four-star cornerback Semajay Robinson. Three days later, head coach Matt Campbell the Nittany Lions heard good news again.
Spring season will test Penn State's offensive linemen for starting roles
Zachary Gleason Jr., a three-star cornerback from Pittsburgh, Penn. announced his commitment to Penn State on Tuesday.
The six-foot, 170-pound defensive back is ranked 77th in his position and 745th nationally across all Class of 2027 recruits. He is also ranked at No. 20 among recruits from Pennsylvania, per Rivals Industry Ranking.
In 2025, Gleason logged 43 tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, one sack, and one forced fumble for Central Catholic High School.
BREAKING: Class of 2027 CB Zachary Gleason has Committed to Penn State, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 31, 2026
The 6’0 170 CB from Pittsburgh, PA chose the Nittany Lions over Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pitt
“Next step towards our goal pops❤️ #WeAre 🦁”https://t.co/2qHxVF2jK7 pic.twitter.com/F6PVvYY7l4
Three-star cornerback Zachary Gleason Jr. commits to Penn State over Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech
This is not only the second commitment in Penn State's recruitment class but is the first Pennsylvania native to pull through for Campbell. He's also working on keeping wide receiver Khalil Taylor, a Gibsonia, Penn. native, in-state as well.
The Nittany Lions beat out Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Michigan State for Gleason.
“It just felt right,” Gleason told Chad Simmons of Rivals. “Being close to home and having my family there means a lot to me.”
Penn State's culture on and off the field is something that resonated with the young cornerback. He told Simmons that Campbell's vision for and standard expected from his players stuck out to him once the new head coach got to campus.
“Coach Campbell is building something special,” Gleason said. “You can feel the energy and the expectations. He wants guys who are going to lead and do things the right way.”
As a young athlete following the Nittany Lions growing up, Gleason felt like Happy Valley was home. He said he's ready to come in, represent the blue and white, and be a leader for his class as well.
What Gleason wanted from a program, he knew he could get at Penn State with Campbell at the helm.
“They showed me how I fit and what I can become,” he said. “That meant a lot. I grew up following Penn State, and that was my dream school, so this commitment is exciting.”