Penn State Nittany Lions Recruiting: 2024 commit breakdown

James Franklin and his staff at Penn State have built a solid recruiting class as the 2024 cycle approaches National Signing Day. Penn State currently holds commitments from 25 prospects in the 2024 cycle. Thirteen of those play offense and 12 come from the defense.

That group of commits rates as the No. 14 overall class in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 3 in the Big Ten.

Penn State Class Breakdown

Penn State’s class consists of zero five-stars, 14 four-stars and 11 three-star prospects. Westford (Mass.) Cheshire Academy four-star tight end Luke Reynolds headlines the class as the No. 49 recruit in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. One additional top-100 recruit is pledged to Penn State in Belle Vernon (Pa.) four-star athlete Quinton Martin.

Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy four-star quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is the Nittany Lions’ signal-caller of this class and pledged to Penn State back in May.

Grunkemeyer, Erie (Pa.) McDowell four-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, Brookline (Mass.) Dexter School four-star athlete Liam Andrews and Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin four-star cornerback Jon Mitchell all rank inside the top 150.

Four-star and five-star prospects are rated as ‘blue-chip’ prospects — Penn State’s class has a 56% blue-chip percentage. The average distance of a Penn State recruit’s hometown to State College is 297.3 miles and 32% of the class hails from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Top Penn State Commit: TE Luke Reynolds

Westford (Mass.) Cheshire Academy four-star tight end Luke Reynolds is the nation’s No. 49 overall prospect and No. 3 tight end. He committed to the Nittany Lions on March 25 and headlines Penn State’s top-15 class. On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:

“Versatile jumbo athlete with the frame and explosive movement skills to project as a top tight end. Measured at a shade over 6-foot-4 and around 220 pounds prior to his senior year. Has average length with 32.25 -inch arm. Touts a muscular build with the frame to continue adding mass. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Posts vertical leaps in the upper 30’s at college camps. Lined up as a quarterback and pass catcher as a junior. Shows off his athleticism as a run threat from under center. Flashed the ability to come down with contested grabs in limited opportunities as a junior.

“Has the bounce to elevate over defensive backs and the coordination to high point the football. Has fairly polished routes despite not playing the position full-time. Impressed working as a pass catcher at the Elite 11 Finals prior to his senior season, showing outstanding conditioning and overall movement skills. Will need to continue adding size and strength on top of technique to become a well-rounded tight end. Athletic upside is readily apparent and makes him one of the top prospects at the position in the 2024 cycle. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old in February of his senior year.”

Top Defensive Commit: Athlete Liam Andrews

Brookline (Mass.) Dexter School four-star athlete Liam Andrews is the nation’s No. 116 overall prospect and No. 5 athlete. He is expected to play on the defensive line at the college level. Power writes this about Andrews as a prospect:

“Light-footed, physically-gifted two-way lineman who has significant developmental upside as an offensive line prospect. Has a leaner build at around 6-foot-4.5, 255 pounds with a big frame to add weight. Has measured with a 10.25-inch hand. Owns outstanding length with arms that have measured over 34.5 inches. Plays on both sides of the ball at the high school level as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. An elite, twitchy mover relative to other offensive line prospects. Has outstanding reactive quickness. Projects as a strong pass protector with his quick feet and length. Could play tackle or move inside.

“Makes easy work of opposing defensive linemen. Excels as a puller to the second level. Flashes his notable athleticism (particularly relative to other offensive line prospects) in tracking down plays from behind. Also shows active, quick hands on defense. Will need to add mass and adjust to the uptick in competition making the jump from Massachusetts to the Power 5. Older for the class, turning 19 years-old in December of his senior year. Has a much higher long-term upside as an offensive lineman with the side of the ball he plays on likely playing a role in determining his ceiling as a prospect.”