Penn State picks four-star cornerback right up out of Pittsburgh's backyard

Penn State football landed a four-star cornerback from the class of 2027, its fourth verbal commitment of the group alongside running back Kemon Spell, offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt, and wide receiver Khalil Taylor. Head coach James Franklin's class of rising juniors is No. 1 in the country per 247Sports overall and composite rankings.

Gabe Jenkins, a Pittsburgh, Pa. native received 22 offers, including one from Pittsburgh, but announced his Nittany Lion commitment on Monday, Aug. 18. He's the No. 19 cornerback in the country, No. 8 recruit out of Pennsylvania, and the No. 191 overall prospect, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Jenkins is officially the Nittany Lions' first defenseman to join the slowly-building class.

"I feel like I fit with Penn State's defense well," Jenkins said to 247Sports' Brian Dohn. "A physical and aggressive defense."

Development and opportunity to be a part of a team with playoff run history is what excited the young recruit most, encouraging him to commit to Penn State. Before making his decision, he had visits scheduled with other Big Ten schools, Michigan State and Nebraska. However, being with one of the top teams in the conference swayed him and he will no longer make those unofficial visits.

Jenkins will be at the Sept. 27 White Out game at Beaver Stadium for when the Nittany Lions take on the Oregon Ducks. It'll be a packed game day for Penn State recruitment. Class of 2026 five-star plus offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho is another recruit that will be in attendance.

According to 247Sports national analyst Hudson Standish, Jenkins is a "pure football player with immense three-phase playmaking production."

He recorded over 1,283 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on offense as a sophomore with five receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns adding to that. On defense, he had six interceptions in 2024, nodding to his talent on the ground and its translation to his defensive game. Standish said the latest Penn State commit is an aggressive tackler, but also expected to be a multi-purpose player. In 2025, he should see reps at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver on the offensive size of the ball.

"[Jenkins] should be viewed as a potential difference-maker at the Power Four level across multiple positions in the defensive back five," Standish wrote. "[He] projects as a potential All-Conference ceiling defender with the physical tools to one day merit NFL Draft consideration."

The Imani Christian cornerback isn't the only recruit to come from the high school. David Davis is a class of 2026 commit and defensive end Dayshaun Burnett is starting his first season at Penn State.

"I committed to Penn State because I think it's the best for me," Jenkins said to Dohn. "I don't have to go too far and besides that, two of my teammates are on the team. Why not make it three and ball out?"