Ahead of four-star edge rusher Aidan O'Neil's commitment date, Penn State football was already preparing for bad news. On Friday, O'Neil made it official that the Nittany Lions did not make the cut.
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On May 1, O'Neil announced his commitment to Notre Dame over Penn State and Kentucky. One day before on Thursday, Rivals' recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong logged a prediction that ultimately came true, giving the blue and white a heads up before O'Neil ripped off the bandaid.
BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Aidan O’Neil has Committed to Notre Dame, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’5 250 EDGE from Montgomery, NY chose the Fighting Irish over Kentucky and Penn State
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 1, 2026
“Dreams to reality. Go Irish ☘️”⁰https://t.co/C9xfebY9ZF pic.twitter.com/rWNgELScMr
Four-star edge rusher Aidan O'Neil commits to Notre Dame over Penn State
The Ramsey, N.J. native is a four-star edge rusher ranked 141st nationally in the Class of 2027 and 15th at his position. He is also ranked No. 3 among recruits from New Jersey, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. O'Neil is listed at No. 110 nationally, No. 13 at edge rusher, and No. 3 from his home state on Rivals Industry Ranking.
In 2025, O'Neil finished the season with 45 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks.
"I think his long history of coaching up guys, creating defensive ends, I just think it is going to be the perfect match. I feel like we are going to do great things together," O'Neil said of the Fighting Irish.
According to Brian Dohn of 247Sports, Notre Dame envisions the defenseman staying on the outside rather than plugging him into other areas of the defensive line. He told Dohn that he's excited to play free in the Fighting Irish's scheme.
O'Neil initially had an official visit lined up with Penn State. He also scheduled visits with Indiana and Kentucky, and took an official visit to Illinois at the beginning of April as well. Heading into the spring/summer sessions, though, O'Neil will only visit South Bend, Ind.
The Nittany Lions' No. 4 Class of 2027 now goes without the four-star edge rusher and still seeks its first defensive end commit. Penn State currently has four-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery, three-star defensive lineman Carter Blattner, and three-star linebacker Blake Betton committed on the defensive front.
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