Penn State football had a rough week for its class of 2026 recruitment. Five-star Joey O'Brien, four-star Grayson McKeogh, cornerback Khary Adams, and edge rusher Luke Wafle have either decided to take their talents elsewhere or are leaning away from the Nittany Lions.
However, head coach James Franklin can't pump the brakes as the final weekend of official visit season is here. Penn State has one four-star and two three-star recruits scheduled for the weekend — all of whom have the Nittany Lions at the top of their lists.
Tight end Pierce Petersohn
Four-star Petersohn is the No. 341 overall recruit from the class of 2026, No. 22 athlete overall, and No. 3 pick out of Minnesota.
Petersohn has a top two ahead of declaring his commitment: Minnesota and Penn State. He visited the Gophers on May 30 and only scheduled one other visit among his nine total offers. His official visit with the Nittany Lions will determine whether the tight end keeps his talents at home or brings them to Happy Valley.
However, Franklin's tight end recruiting gives Penn State an advantage. Without a tight end currently committed from the class of 2026, it gives the rising senior room to work with even with the position's depth in the locker room already. Minnesota, on the other hand, already has two tight ends committed. This will also be Petersohn's second time visiting campus, so while it's unsure as of now where he'll commit, Penn State should not be overlooked in the two-way race.
Defensive lineman Cameron Brickle
The No. 532 overall, No. 61 overall defensive lineman, and No. 76 recruit out of Florida is also scheduled to visit Happy Valley.
The three-star's finalists also include a home-advantage school, Florida State. However, Penn State will have to go up against Maryland and Ohio State as well for Brickle. The Nittany Lions are his last to visit, but Brickle has been on campus nine other times unofficially. The Nittany Lions also have an edge over other schools as the lineman's high school, IMG Academy, tends to have success in Happy Valley.
Though listed as a three-star, Brickle would still be a nice addition for Penn State. Alex Haskell and Isaac Chukwurah are two tackles currently committed from the class of 2026, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for a third.
Offensive tackle Jack Fuchs
Fuchs, the No. 643 overall recruit, No. 56 offensive tackle, and No. 18 student-athlete out of Tennessee, is the second three-star recruit scheduled to visit.
While he may not seem like a high priority for the Nittany Lions, Penn State's offensive line won't have its veterans forever. As of now, Kevin Brown and Roseby Lubintus are the two tackles committed from the class of 2026. Benjamin Eziuka is a three-star interior offensive lineman also headed to Penn State. The rising senior previously visited Kentucky and Indiana the past two weekends and each have one 2026 offensive tackle to their list.
Four-star cornerback Danny Odem also visited campus this week, but opted for a midweek visit as he has Nebraska lined up for the weekend. Penn State is in Odem's top five with Nebraska, Ohio State, Auburn, and Oklahoma.