Forever a bridesmaid in the Big Ten, the Penn State Nittany Lions roared into national relevance in 2024, booking a berth in the College Football Playoff. While they will lose a ton of talent to the NFL, the 2025 Penn State recruiting class contains hope for the future while continuing a tradition of excellence at the tight end position.
Who Is the Top Recruit in the 2025 Penn State Recruiting Class?
As Tyler Warren earns national attention and Pat Freiermuth carries the program’s reputation at the professional level, it’s hardly surprising to learn that the top prospect in the 2025 Penn State recruiting class is a tight end. Andrew Olesh is a four-star tight end out of Southern Lehigh in Center Valley, PA, who has stayed home to continue a tradition of excellence at the position.
Olesh is the top in-state prospect, according to 247 Sports, and ranks as the number three tight end in the class. He’s a top 50 player based on the recruiting site’s ranking, although he currently sits just outside that range in the industry composite. At over 6’4″ and 215 pounds with eye-popping athleticism, he’s already well built to feature as a pass-catching weapon early in his college football career.
Where Does the 2025 Penn State Recruiting Class Rank Nationally?
The 2025 Penn State recruiting class currently sits 15th overall nationally, as per 247 Sports. The Nittany Lions have 18 four-star and nine three-star high school prospects in a 27-strong class. At present, that ranks fifth in the Big Ten, sitting behind the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, Michigan Wolverines, and USC Trojans.
MORE: 2024 College Football Network All-Americans
Franklin’s side is the top-ranked team in the Big Ten that has yet to ensnare a five-star recruit. The Nittany Lions also failed to secure a five-star high school prospect in their 2024 class, which matched their current national ranking. However, they have slid from third in the Big Ten a year ago, behind Michigan and USC, who both bagged a player in that top-ranked bracket during this recruiting cycle.
Penn State’s Recruiting Class, 2025
- Andrew Olesh, TE, Southern Lehigh
- Malachi Goodman, iOL, Paramus Catholic
- Daryus Dixson, CB, Mater Dei
- LaVar Arrington Jr., LB, Charter Oak
- Matthew Outten, WR, I.C. Norcom
- Yvan Kemajou, DL, Paint Branch
- Cameron Smith, LB, St. Joseph’s Prep School
- Jahmir Joseph, CB, St. Joseph Regional
- Jeff Exinor Jr., TE, McDonogh School
- Dayshaun Burnett, LB, Imani Christian Academy
- Xxavier Thomas, CB, Central Catholic
- Chaz Coleman, EDGE, Warren G Harding
- Owen Aliciene, OT, Avon Old Farms
- Cortez Harris, EDGE, Riverdale Baptist
- Matt Henderson, TE, Powhatan
- Alex Tatsch, LB, Greater Latrobe
- Josh Johnson, CB, Ironton
- Jabree Wallace-Coleman, RB, Imhotep Institute
- Tiqwai Hayes, RB, Aliquippa
- Koby Howard, WR, Chaminade-Madonna Prep
- Lyrick Samuel, WR, Erasmus Hall
- Michael Troutman, iOL, DePaul Catholic
- Brady O’Hara, TE, North Catholic
- Brian Kortovich, TE, Villa Angela-St. Joseph
- Bekkem Kritza, QB, Chaminade-Madonna Prep
- Randy Adirika, DL, Miami Central
- Braswell Thomas, S, Pleasantville
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