Nittany Lions have an early advantage as CO' 2027 safety sets third visit

Penn State football is picking up steam in defensive battles for class of 2027 recruits, and this three-star is just one of them.
Penn State football head coach James Franklin
Penn State football head coach James Franklin | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

So far in Penn State football's class of 2027 recruiting wave, it has three offensive players committed with potential for another four-star wide receiver, five-star offensive tackle, and four-star quarterback. The Nittany Lions will need to stay on running back Kemon Spell, offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt, and wide receiver Khalil Taylor to retain their commitments, but it's also time for them to start seeking out defensemen.

Three-star safety Jonathan Galette from Montvale, N.J. is on their radar. The Rivals' ranked No. 42 safety and No. 11 recruit out of New Jersey has Penn State in high consideration, but it's still early days for the prospect to make his decision.

Three-star safety Jonathan Galette schedules Penn State visit

According to Blue White Illustrated, the rising junior scheduled visits to Happy Valley and Ann Arbor to see Michigan. Out of his 21 offers, though, Penn State and Rutgers are currently projected as the frontrunners to land Galette. The Nittany Lions are just behind his home state school with a 30.1 percent chance to a 34.4. percent chance, respectively, to earn the safety's commitment.

Like the battle for four-star wide receiver Myles McAfee, Penn State's class of 2027 recruitment is turning into a Big Ten tug of war. McAfee's home ties to Maryland give the Terrapins an edge while Oregon continues to recruit the receiver hard alongside the Nittany Lions. Now Galette's home ties to the Scarlet Knights are a hump for Penn State to get over while also opposing Michigan as of right now.

Galette isn't new to Happy Valley. On March 29, he made an unofficial visit and received his offer the same day. Then on June 1, he attended the Nittany Lions' school camp. The only other school, according to 247Sports, that Galette visited so far is Tennessee back in June 2024 for the Volunteers' school camp.

In 2024, St. Joseph Regional placed third in the Super - United Red league, going 1-2 in the conference and 6-5 overall. Galette played 10 games for the Green Knights as a sophomore, recording 33 solo and 17 assisted tackles. He had nine tackles for loss, one interception for 18 yards, and three fumble recoveries.

Though Galette isn't the highest-ranked defenseman or safety the Nittany Lions have to sift through from the class of 2027, building a repertoire early on will give them an advantage long-term with more coveted recruits.

Tory Pittman III and Kaleb Elkins are two four-star safeties Penn State has high up there on the board. It is also looking at defensive lineman Jamar Thompson and edge rushers Recarder Kitchen and Antwoine Higgins as other high choice four-stars on defense.