DL Tavian Branch commits to Penn State: 'The best in PA stay in PA'

On June 11, Tavian Branch committed to Rutgers. By Aug. 29, the Taylor (Pa.) Riverside standout backed off that pledge and reopened his recruitment. It didn’t take long for things to change again.

Penn State acted quickly, hosting Branch on an official visit this weekend, and the 6-foot-3.5, 300-pound three-star defensive lineman has now committed to James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

“Penn State has been recruiting me hard for a couple of years now,” Branch told Rivals. “We have been in contact since my sophomore year. At first, they recruited me as an offensive lineman, then things shifted to defensive line, and that is what I will play there. Early in 2025, Penn State started recruiting me for defensive line, and that’s when things really took off.”

Even during his Rutgers commitment, Penn State stayed close.

“When I committed to Rutgers, Penn State gave me a little space, but they always recruited me,” Branch explained. “They congratulated me, let me know they’d be in contact, and then about a month ago, they started picking things back up. Over the last month, they’ve made me feel like even more of a priority than they ever have. They really came on hard, and it gave me a lot to think about.”

Plenty of other programs showed interest — Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, and Ole Miss among them — but in the end, Branch said the decision was clear.

“I knew where I wanted to be. I want to be at Penn State,” he said. “The more I thought about things — realizing where I want to be, what my goals are, and how I want to be developed into a top defensive lineman — I knew Penn State was the right place for me.”

This commitment is different

For Branch, the fit goes beyond football. And this decision is final.

“What makes Penn State right for me is, for one, like Coach Franklin says, ‘The best in PA stay in PA,’” he said. “I have the blueprint on how to make it to the NFL right in front of me at Penn State. I love the coaches, especially Coach Barnes — he produces players and he’s a great coach. It being close to home is nice too.

“This commitment is different. I’m shutting down my recruitment. Penn State is where I’m going.”

Branch is no stranger to Happy Valley. He has been there close to 10 times.

“It’s an amazing environment. The culture is amazing, the fans are amazing, and there is no better place to play,” he said. “Being around the team and the coaches, it’s definitely family-oriented. Everyone is working together with the same goals, and that’s what makes Penn State so powerful.”