Offensive lineman Pete Eglitis signed with Iowa State on Dec. 3 during the Early Signing Period for Class of 2026 recruits. Seven days later, he de-committed from the program, reopened his recruitment, and put Penn State football straight on his radar.
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, On3's Hayes Fawcett reported that Eglitis officially committed to the Nittany Lions. He is a three-star offensive lineman from Columbus, Ohio and is the 78th recruit from the state. 247Sports Composite rankings also lists him 137th among linemen and 1,612th overall across the country.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 OT Pete Eglitis has Committed to Penn State, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’7 300 OT was released from his signing with Iowa State on December 10th⁰⁰“Thank you Jesus!! WE ARE!! 🦁🦁”https://t.co/S2GXVTZmzJ pic.twitter.com/txEwd0jrse
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 23, 2025
Three-star offensive lineman Pete Eglitis commits to Penn State
Eglitis said it was a "waiting game," according to Kenneth Teape, as Penn State sorted out its business in the whirlwind of head coach Matt Campbell's hiring. Not only did the high school senior stick with Campbell, he also stayed loyal to offensive line coach Ryan Clanton who followed and joined Campbell's staff in Happy Valley.
The report of Eglitis' commitment also comes after offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier's announcement he made, saying he intends on entering the Transfer Portal when it opens in January. Starters from 2025, like Vega Ioane, Drew Shelton, Nick Dawkins, Anthony Donkoh, and Nolan Rucci are also expected to depart from the program either due to expired eligibility (Shelton, Dawkins, and Rucci) or a high chance of also entering the portal (Donkoh).
While Eglitis is young and unproven, Campbell needs the roster turnaround to happen one way or another. A combination of recruitment and plucking talent out of the Transfer Portal is essential whether the player is a current or previous four- or five-star or not.
Eglitis told Rivals; Steve Wiltfong that Campbell's introductory press conference as Penn State's head coach was telling of the kind of program and culture he intends on building. It's not shocking that the lineman followed Campbell, especially having already been recruited by him and his staff.
This makes Eglitis the fifth Nittany Lion commit since Campbell's hiring. He joins three-star safeties Tyrell Chatman, three-star quarterback Kase Evans, and three-star punter Lucas Tenbrock. The group of five also adds onto four-star edge rusher Jackson Ford and three-star quarterback Peyton Falzone — the sole signees Penn State acquired during the Early Signing Period.