As the class of 2026 recruits are declaring their commitments in waves, Penn State football's targets are falling out of head coach James Franklin's hands.
Some of the Nittany Lions' top priority recruits that are trending away from Happy Valley are Grayson McKeogh, Joey O'Brien, Khary Adams, and Luke Wafle.
Offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh commits to Notre Dame
The first of the group that left Penn State behind entirely was four-star offensive lineman McKeogh. He's ranked No. 262 overall in the country, No. 20 overall out of offensive tackles, and is the No. 7 recruit out of Pennsylvania.
His top schools out of his 23 offers were Notre Dame, Texas, and Penn State. Ahead of his original decision date, July 1, he declared that he'll be heading to Indiana instead of staying in his home state for his NCAA career.
“From the beginning to the very end it was all about the tradition and energy of the program," McKeogh said, according to On3. "Even all the players had that energy and had the idea of presenting the program that they believed in . . . Playing alongside all those players and commits would be something I can see myself doing.”
Safety Joey O'Brien leans towards the Fighting Irish
O'Brien, who still has yet to declare his commitment, would give Franklin the five-star headliner of his class of 2026 recruits. However, of his four top schools — Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson, and Penn State — it seems that the Nittany Lions will lose out on another Pennsylvania prospect.
The five-star recruit is ranked No. 65 overall, No. 6 among safeties, and No. 2 out of his home state. O'Brien received 28 offers and, for all four of his finalists, would push the recruitment classes over the top.
Cornerback Khary Adams is most likely to choose Notre Dame
Five schools remain as finalists for the four-star cornerback: Notre Dame, Michigan, South Carolina, Penn State, and Oregon. Adams is the No. 75 overall recruit. No. 9 overall cornerback, and No. 4 pick from Maryland out of the class of 2026.
Even with an array of finalists considered to be in the running, it's predicted that Adams will head to Notre Dame. According to On3, he was impressed on his official visit with the Fighting Irish.
Despite both O'Brien and Adams teasing a Penn State lean on X, it is unlikely that Franklin rallies these two recruits.
Edge rusher Luke Wafle chooses USC despite his older brother having transferred to Penn State
The four-star edge rusher from New Jersey had USC, Penn State, Texas, and Ohio State at the front of his mind. However, even with his top schools making last -ditch efforts for the rising senior, Wafle already determined his top two: the Trojans and Buckeyes.
Wafle is the No. 55 overall recruit, No. 6 edge overall, and No. 1 recruit out of New Jersey. Likely a motivaitng factor for him to seriously consider the Nittany Lions was his brother, Owen, having transferred before the spring.
He attended the spring game and was impressed by what he saw on defense. Wafle also visited Penn State unofficially before his scheduled visit on June 6. Even with an extra push from Franklin closer to his decision, Penn State could not remain in the race.
The Nittany Lions are still missing an EDGE recruit from the class of 2026 with most of their hope being in Wafle's potential commitment. However, now that USC has reeled in the defenseman, Franklin will have to look elsewhere.