Penn State football landed its second, Class of 2027 safety on Monday. After a packed official visit weekend, the Nittany Lions are starting to see the fruits of their labor as commitments and expert predictions come flooding in.
Three-star safety Caleb Cooper was the first commitment of the bunch to roll in following official visits. He was one of seven uncommitted recruits on campus on June 5-7, and it doesn't appear to be long before others join him sporting the blue and white.
Earlier in the day on June 8, it was all but confirmed that Penn State had its next safety committed. Expert predictions from 247Sports and Rivals put their picks in for Cooper's collegiate home, all favoring the Nittany Lions.
Soon after, the commitment rolled in and Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported the news.
"Believe in those who believe in you! Penn State I’m home!" Cooper told Rivals upon making his decision.
BREAKING: Class of 2027 Safety Caleb Cooper has Committed to Penn State, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 8, 2026
The 6’0 205 S chose the Nittany Lions over Wisconsin and Virginia Tech
“Believe in those who believe in you! Penn State I’m home! Thank you God”https://t.co/zL9vdxqiGZ pic.twitter.com/DNdcMeQUyG
Three-star safety Caleb Cooper commits to Penn State after official visit weekend
Cooper is ranked No. 741 nationally and No. 77 among Class of 2027 safeties, according to Rivals Industry Rankings. He's also listed as the No. 25 top prospect from North Carolina.
The Charlotte, N.C. native totaled 97 tackles, six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception as a junior in 2025-26. He also has experience on special teams, tallying a kickoff return touchdown last season.
Cooper chose the Nittany Lions over Wisconsin and Virginia Tech. He had official visits lined up with both programs initially and was scheduled to be in Madison, Wisc. June 12-14 and Blacksburg, Va. June 19-21. According to Blue White Illustrated, Cooper is no longer visiting the Badgers and Hokies.
"Penn State is moving in a direction that I think is only on an upwards trajectory," Cooper told Anna Adams of 247Sports. "Coach [Campbell] was the right hire. I want to play for him."
Cooper was on Campbell's and defensive backs coach Deon Broomfield's radar when the two were at Iowa State. Building that relationship with the recruit since before coming to Happy Valley was influential in his decision.
"In this whole recruiting and college football scene, relationships mean lot," Cooper told 247Sports. "Coach Broomfield offered me when he was at Iowa State, and I also got to know him through mutual friends. I believe he will develop me as a player and young man. I like how he represents the safeties room."
Penn State's other safety commit is Jonathan Galette. Galette offered his verbal commitment to the program on April 18. He's ranked No. 632 nationally and No. 61 among safeties, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.
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