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Penn State

Penn State adds four-star linebacker Mathieu Lamah to Class of 2026

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder05/05/25RyanSnyderOn3
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Linebacker Mathieu Lamah. (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State added its first linebacker to the Class of 2026 last Friday when Coatesville native Terry Wiggins announced his decision. Now, just three days later, assistant coach Dan Connor has picked up another very important recruit for his room with the addition of Virginia resident Mathieu Lamah.

A 6-foot-3, 220-pound middle linebacker from Patriot High School, Lamah didn’t step foot on campus until six months ago when he attended last season’s White Out game. At the time, he didn’t hold an offer from the Nittany Lions, but the experience quickly made them the team to beat.

“On all the [recruiting webpages], there was a lot of talk that Penn State was in the lead,” Lamah said, referring to his recruitment. “I tried to brush it off to make it look like they weren’t, but truthfully, they’ve been in the lead for a long time.

“The first time I was there, I went to the White Out game. It was just a regular visit, and I really hadn’t talked with them much yet. Obviously, those types of games, you’re not going to get much time to talk to their coaches, but I remember being on the [sideline] and just watching all the other recruits that were offered go out on the field. Then, seeing the atmosphere there, all the people in white, it really sparked something in me to work harder and to get that offer.”

Lamah, who previously went by the last name of Kanu, didn’t have to wait long to earn that offer. Once Penn State was able to verify his measurables during that first visit, that was all they needed, extending an offer to Kanu just days later.

At the time, Lamah had earned a few Power Four offers from Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. North Carolina quickly followed Penn State, but it wasn’t until January that he saw his list of P4 offers nearly triple. He eventually narrowed his list down to Penn State, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Rutgers and Virginia Tech at the end of March.

Each of those schools hosted him for a visit this spring, but it was always going to take a monumental effort for a school to surpass the Nittany Lions.

“Between the longevity they have there – [James] Franklin will probably be there the next 10 years – and a great coaching staff, it was always a great fit for me,” Lamah said. “They just added Jim Knowles, the best defensive coordinator in the country. He just won a [national championship] with Ohio State and their defense.

“I built a great bond with Coach Connor as well. He’s known for being the leading tackler in Penn State history and he played in the league. I know he knows what he’s talking about. I watched it at their spring practice. Every single drill he ran was game-related. But most importantly, we’ve just connected on a different level. He’s always been transparent with me about where I would fit in and what his room looked like.”

Last season, Lamah totaled 137 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and three sacks. Those efforts earned him a four-star rating by On3 back in February. The On300 prospect is ranked No. 275 nationally, No. 19 at linebacker and No. 6 overall in Virginia.

“He’s a menace between the hashes,” wrote On3 scout Cody Bellaire. “I love his physicality and violence…You know exactly what you are getting out of him in close quarters.”

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