Penn State football held its junior day events over the week of Jan. 25 before the recruitment dead period ensues. On Saturday, a Pennsylvania native took a visit to Happy Valley after the Nittany Lions extended him an offer on Jan. 23.
Matt Campbell and Penn State are making moves with a Top 10 Class of 2027 recruit
It was a quick turnaround for defensive back Deonte Flemings Jr. after receiving the offer, scheduling a junior day visit almost immediately. The promising chain of events worked out in head coach Matt Campbell's favor. Flemings Jr. committed to Penn State following his visit, becoming the first recruit in the Nittany Lions' Class of 2028.
He also received offers from Notre Dame, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh.
Class of 2028 defensive back Deonte Flemings Jr. commits to Penn State following junior day visit
Class of 2028 recruits don't have official 247Sports rankings. Tyler Calvaruso said that Flemings Jr. is a promising recruit, however, and he was impressed by the new coaching staff in Happy Valley.
"First and foremost, I think the new coaching staff is ready to compete already and that's one thing that I love," Flemings Jr. said, according to 247Sports. "Coach Campbell is a very honest guy and family oriented that's what it's about to me and my family. I need somebody that's going to be on me when my parents not around and turn me to the best version of myself."
As a sophomore in 2025, Flemings Jr. was named a second-team defensive athlete per the Pennsylvania Football News' All-State 6A teams. He was one of the top defensive backs from the state, giving Penn State a good start to its 2028 recruitment class.
Flemings Jr. also has a strong relationship with assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, dating back to his freshman year of high school. Smith and safeties coach Deon Broomfield led the charge in pursuing the young defenseman in recruitment. Flemings Jr. praised Smith as one of the best coaches for defensive backs in the country.
"Great person overall, for sure," Flemings Jr. told 247Sports. "He will tell the truth about anything."
Retaining Smith is clearly working out in the Nittany Lions' favor. While Campbell and his new staff are doing a fine job in recruitment, Smith's popularity from the 2025 season and value in Happy Valley cannot be understated.
Penn State is starting off on the right foot with its young Class of 2028.