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Penn State

Penn State makes the cut for top target, five-star Edge Zion Elee

Fitz headshot croppedby: Sean Fitz08/03/24SeanFitzOn3
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Zion Elee (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy Class of 2026 defensive end Zion Elee has become one of the nation’s most sought-after pass rushers since emerging as a sophomore last fall at Joppatowne High in Joppa, Md. Now at a new school, he sports one of the nation’s top offer lists and he’s already narrowed his list to five programs.

Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State have made the cut for the five-star prospect, who checks in as the No. 6 overall player in the Class of 2026. He’s the No. 2 prospect in Maryland and the nation’s top edge prospect, according to the On3 Industry rankings. 

Penn State was in early on Elee, as the Nittany Lions were the third program to offer back in January. He visited for a spring practice back in March and returned in June to work out at camp with defensive line coach Deion Barnes.

“I liked how Coach Barnes helped me through the drills and corrected my mistakes after every rep. He also fixed my stance,” Elee said. “I like that he wants everything to be perfect and wants to get me there.”

Penn State pushing positional success

Penn State’s inclusion in his top five is a reflection of the Nittany Lions’ relationship with Elee and how the program has been able to produce defensive ends. The latest is Maryland native Chop Robinson, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the NFL Draft in the spring. 

“I know they’re one of the top schools in my rankings,” Elee told On3 of Penn State. “What’s really exciting about them is the history of edges being developed there so I know could be that next one.”

Elee had a busy summer. He started with camps at Penn State and Syracuse, and hit the road with the C.R.S. Bus Tour to see Kentucky, Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama and North Carolina. He also visited Oregon in the final weekend of July. Maryland got three visits in the spring and he also saw South Carolina in April. 

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