The Penn State Nittany Lions are adding a talented linebacker to their 2026 class. Three-star Patriot High School, in Nokesville, VA, standout Mathieu Kanu, has committed to the Nittany Lions on Monday. He picked Penn State over the likes of Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech.
Kanu has been a frequent visitor to Happy Valley. He has built very strong relationships with the Penn State head coach James Franklin, linebackers coach Dan Connors, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, recruiting coordinator for personnel Alan Zemaitis, as well as the rest of the Nittany Lions staff. Now, he sends a two-word shockwave on X, formerly Twitter.
Penn State Gets Emotional Commitment From 2026 LB Mathieu Kanu
Linebacker Mathieu Kanu recently made his Penn State commitment loud and clear with a viral two-word message that he posted on X, which fired up Nittany Lions fans all across the world.
1000% committed #weare🦁🦁@PatriotHS_FB @FinnertySean @PWCsportsVA @BrianDohn247 @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @PennStateFball @coachjfranklin @Coachdanconnor @ZemaitisTouch_ pic.twitter.com/iUJpnTyjKh
— Mathieu Lamah 4⭐️ (@Mathieukanu9) May 5, 2025
“1000% committed #weare” followed by two Lions’ emojis, Kanu posted on X, followed by him tagging the Penn State football X account, and various coaches in it, sharing his excitement.
Kanu is looking forward to being coached by the linebackers coach at Penn State, Dan Connors, who played linebacker for PSU from 2004-2007. Connors is the all-time leading tackler for the Nittany Lions, with 419, and Kanu feels he is a good fit for Knowles defensive scheme.
“Choosing Penn State was a decision I’ve had in my mind since they offered me (back in November of 2024),” Kanu told Rivals.com. “With being there so many times (on visits), I get more and more reassured that I’m needed, and most importantly, (they see me as) a high-value athlete they want. They are a program that is known for producing linebacker talent and having great defenses, while also making it in the top 10 each year.”
“I’ll also be getting coached by a great linebacker in the past for Penn State and a great coach at that in Dan Connor, and be coached by Jim Knowles, who is known for having the best defense for the past couple years (at Ohio State). Penn State is also a place in my heart I see myself home at.”
Kanu currently ranks as the No. 16 prospect in the state of Virginia and the No. 63 linebacker in the 2026 recruiting cycle. In addition to the schools mentioned above, Kanu had scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and others.
The 6’3″, 235-pound Kanu is being recruited to Penn State to play as an inside linebacker.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
“I’m a very downhill ‘backer that can move well in the box and with my instincts leading me to always being around the ball,” Kanu said when asked to describe his game. “I am a sideline-to-sideline guy as well.”
With Kanu’s commitment to the program, Penn State has 15 pledges in its 2026 class. The Nittany Lions’ recruiting class currently is ranked No. 7 nationally, and No. 3 in the Big Ten conference.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
