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Penn State adds four-star linebacker Elijah Littlejohn to 2026 class

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder06/16/25RyanSnyderOn3
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Linebacker Elijah Littlejohn. (Credit: Chad Simmons | On3)

Penn State has picked up another linebacker for its Class of 2026, locking in a commitment from Charlotte native Elijah Littlejohn.

Listed at just over 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Littlejohn earned top performer honors at the Charlotte Under Armour Camp at the beginning of April. His film and testing numbers quickly grabbed the attention of linebacker coach Dan Connor, which led to Littlejohn and his family taking an overnight visit to Penn State the weekend of April 18-19. That’s also when he picked up an offer.

However, it was his official visit just over two weeks ago, June 6 to 8, that firmly established the Nittany Lions as the team to beat.

“The coaches treated me and my family so well, and I liked the atmosphere a lot,” Littlejohn told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Then on the official visit, I knew Penn State was home.”

He went on to add, “I really like the town and the people there. It is a great place. The atmosphere is great for me and me and my family loves it. It is just a great place for me.”

The ‘S’ Zone: Inside Penn State’s June 13-15 recruiting weekend

Throughout his recruitment, Littlejohn totaled more than two dozen scholarship offers. Penn State ultimately beat Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, both of which he took official visits with this month. He also previously set an official visit with N.C. State for June 20-22, but no longer plans to make that trip.

“Penn State is always putting guys into the league,” Littlejohn said. “They have great coaches. Coach Conner played there, he played in the NFL and he will develop me. Penn State has the best defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) in college football, so the defense will be great.”

During his junior season, Littlejohn totaled 26 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in just seven games.

On3’s Industry Rankings have him ranked No. 325 nationally, No. 22 at linebacker and 18th overall in North Carolina for the class. That makes him the seventh-ranked player in PSU’s class. In fact, he comes in just one spot nationally ahead of fellow linebacker and Pennsylvania native Terry Wiggins. Those two join Virginia native Mathieu Lamah as the three linebackers in Penn State’s class.