Penn State football is one day away from hearing massive Class of 2027 recruitment news. On Thursday, though, the Nittany Lions were given bad news just before a four-star target makes his decision.
Penn State makes Top 3 and awaits decision from 4-star edge rusher
Edge rusher Aidan O'Neil is a four-star prospect from Ramsey, N.J. who narrowed down his list to three final schools before his commitment date on May 1. On Friday, the Class of 2027 defenseman will decide between Penn State, Notre Dame, and Kentucky.
Ahead of that decision, though, Steve Wiltfong of On3/Rivals logged an expert prediction that doesn't favor the blue and white. Instead, he has a familiar foe on the field and in recruitment landing O'Neil.
Rivals' @SWiltfong_ and @AllenTrieu have logged expert predictions for Notre Dame to land 4-star EDGE Aidan O'Neil☘️
— Rivals (@Rivals) April 30, 2026
Details: https://t.co/QAWdJCUYxS pic.twitter.com/52N3gs5Owq
Steve Wiltfong predicts Notre Dame to land four-star edge rusher Aidan O'Neil
Per 247Sports Composite rankings, O'Neil is the No. 140 recruit nationally and No. 15 edge rusher from his class. He's also listed as the third-ranked prospect from New Jersey. Rivals Industry Rankings has the four-star listed at No. 110 nationally, No. 13 at edge, and No. 3 from his home state. O'Neil finished the 2025 season as an NJ.com All-State selection on defense following a year with 54 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The Fighting Irish were consistently favored, according to Rivals' predictions, but Wiltfong's latest projection is just another sting for the Nittany Lions. Notre Dame is favored to land O'Neil with an 88.7 percent chance. Penn State is well behind with a 3.6 percent chance. Despite having a good run with defensemen, head coach Matt Campbell will likely have to suffer a recruitment loss this time around. The Fighting Irish are also favored above the Nittany Lions and Wildcats, per 247Sports predictions.
While this is subject to change based on his commitment announcement on Friday, O'Neil has a number of official visits lined up. He most recently had one with the Illinois Fighting Illini on April 10. He's scheduled to see Indiana on May 15, Kentucky on June 5, Penn State on June 12, and Notre Dame on June 19.
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