Penn State football is in the midst of its spring season and hosting a number of recruits for unofficial visits as the Class of 2027 athletes, in particular, get closer to their decisions.
Terry Smith is the recruiting difference-maker Matt Campbell was lucky to retain
The Nittany Lions have done well since the end of March, picking up five commitments. Four of those are on the defensive side of the ball, and they're in the running to land two more.
Four-star safety Cooper Ohnmacht is the No. 336 overall recruit, No. 17 unspecified athlete, and No. 2 prospect out of Kansas, per 247Sports Composite rankings. The Great Bend, Kans. native is ranked 349th nationally, 10th among unspecified athletes, and second from his state by Rivals Industry Ranking.
Four-star safety Cooper Ohnmacht says Penn State is at the top of his list
Tyler Calvaruso of Lions247 logged an expert prediction in favor of Penn State at the beginning of March, and the latest recruitment update for Ohnmacht is still best case scenario for the Nittany Lions.
Calvaruso reported on Saturday, April 4 that Penn State is at the top of the safety's list, writing that Ohnmacht was impressed by his spring visit. He and safeties coach Deon Broomfield continue growing their relationship as Ohnmacht gets closer to making a decision on his commitment.
He's not the only safety the blue and white left a good impression on either.
Three-star safety Elinah Burns-Crump commends the culture Matt Campbell is building at Penn State
Three-star Elijah Burns-Crump from Louisville, Ky. not only had a good visit in Happy Valley but also scheduled an official visit for the spring/summer session. He plans on returning to Penn State over the weekend of June 4, which is his first visit lined up for the time being.
"Their culture was far beyond great," Burns-Crump told Calvaruso. "There is definitely a family type atmosphere at Penn State."
Culture has been a driving factor in head coach Matt Campbell's recruiting strategy. It's also a prominent piece of his rebuilding efforts, connecting current players back to the Nittany Lions' roots.
Burns-Crump is the No. 749 recruit overall from the Class of 2027, per 247Sports Composite rankings, and ranked 76th among safeties and 13th among student-athletes from Kentucky.