Penn State stands firm in updated On3 Team Recruiting Rankings
Penn State’s Class of 2023 recruiting efforts took another big step Tuesday with the addition of three-star defensive end Mason Robinson. The second verbal to the Nittany Lions in as many days, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Robinson built the program’s total to 21 members as the early signing day quickly approaches.
Robinson’s commitment did not, however, change Penn State’s standing in the updated On3 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
With a score of 91.555, Penn State remains at No. 14 in the rankings. The Nittany Lions are nearly a full point ahead of Texas A&M at No. 15 and are still within striking distance of No. 11 Tennessee (91.812), No. 12 Oregon (91.632), and No. 13 Southern Cal (91.618).
Using a rolling system to evaluate the comparative strength of recruiting classes across the national college football landscape, Robinson’s commitment didn’t move the needle at all for the Nittany Lions. Following the commitment of four-star defensive lineman Joseph Mupoyi on Monday, Penn State’s average per-recruit rating was 90.65. It has since dropped ever-so-slightly to 90.50.
More importantly, though, using 18 commitments as the baseline number from which to compare other classes, the Nittany Lions’ overall score of 91.555 didn’t change.
In the Big Ten, Penn State’s standing continues to be impressive in this recruiting cycle. At the top of the conference, Ohio State checks in at No. 4 nationally with a score of 93.200. The Nittany Lions are next in line at No. 14 overall, followed by Michigan (No. 22), Michigan State (23), Iowa (31), Northwestern (36), Minnesota (42), Illinois (46), Nebraska (49), Purdue (54), Maryland (55), Rutgers (56), Wisconsin (57), and Indiana (76).
A system that takes into account all of the major recruiting services including On3, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN, the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings also cut into the advantage of stockpiling large classes. The model also doesn’t disproportionately stack the deck in favor of the top handful of commitments. It more accurately reflects the overall balance and talent of the class as a whole.
Penn State’s latest verbal commitment
After a long recruiting process, Tuesday’s verbal commitment finally brings the defensive lineman into the fold.
Taking visits to Northwestern, who he committed to last May, and Penn State for an official visit this past weekend, Robinson remained in the Nittany Lions’ sights throughout the process.
Eventually clearing a path when Northwestern turned over some of its defensive coaching staff, Penn State capitalized with an impressive showing on the visit this past weekend.
“We had a great visit,” Robinson said of his Penn State trip. “It was me, my mom, my dad, and my sister and we saw a lot. Friday, we got Raising Cane’s. That was my first time having that. We probably ate the whole day. They gave us so much food. I probably gained five pounds. But we learned a lot about NIL, we learned about academics, and a lot of things. Saturday, they had practice in the morning, so I got to watch that. It was competitive. I watched the D-line practice, so it was fun watching Dani [Dennis-Sutton] and Dvon [Ellies], and PJ [Mustipher] getting after it. It was fun seeing them all together out there.
“I also spent time with Dani both nights, Friday and Saturday. It was fun seeing his new car (from NIL). It’s crazy seeing the success he’s having there and what he’s earned already in just one year. I was just playing with him one year ago. I can see myself doing the same thing there.”
