Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell is steamrolling through recruitment, especially given his late start with the Class of 2027.
Penn State quarterback target just got a lot more enticing with updated ranking
After hosting four-star safety Malaki Taufoou for a visit on Saturday, April 18, the Nittany Lions' impact on his recruitment was evident. On Monday, Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals reported Taufoou's top five teams as programs around the country wrap up their spring seasons.
That list includes four teams on the west coat and Penn State. Oregon, Washington, California, and BYU are the others in the mix.
NEWS: Four-Star Safety Malakai Taufoou is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 20, 2026
The 6’2 195 S from Redwood City, CA is ranked as the No. 6 Safety in the Golden State (per Rivals)
Where Should He Go?https://t.co/SLLHyB8DYQ pic.twitter.com/Z7mvusv1M6
Four-star safety Malaki Taufoou puts Penn State in his top five
Taufoou is ranked 400th nationally, per 247Sports Composite rankings. He's listed as the No. 35 safety and recruit from California. He's a San Mateo, Calif. native who the Nittany Lions hope to bring over more towards the east coast.
Rivals Industry Rankings have the safety ranked at No. 430 overall, No. 37 at his position, and No. 36 out of California prospects. It currently has the Golden Bears leading the recruitment race with a 35.4 percent chance at landing Taufoou.
He's slated to visit California, the Nittany Lions, and the Huskies over the summer. Taufoou starts at Penn State over the weekend of June 5 before visiting the Golden Bears over the weekend of June 11 and Washington the following weekend. He has yet to schedule official visits with the Ducks and Cougars.
As for unofficial visits, though, he met with Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and his squad on April 5. Before coming to Happy Valley, Taufoou saw California head coach Tosh Lupoi on April 8.
In 2025, Taufoou totaled 50 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceotions, and three pass deflections over 14 games. He also played some special teams as well, logging two blocked field goals and two blocked punts.
He would be the second safety in Campbell's 2027 recruiting class alongside three-star Jonathan Galette. Penn State has been particularly consistent recruiting defensive backs, largely due to assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith's involvement. Five of 11 committed recruits play in the defensive backfield.
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