Recapping LB Keon Wylie's path to Penn State football

Penn State fans, the following story appears in Blue White Illustrated’s upcoming Class of 2022 recruiting magazine. It features over 70 pages of analysis, bios and superlatives on the most recent class. You can order today at BlueWhiteOnline.com.

Penn State defensive recruiting coordinator Terry Smith had plenty of options from whom to consider.

Asked whether or not there are any “hidden gems” in the Nittany Lions’ Class of 2022 recruiting haul, Smith didn’t hesitate. Particularly in contrast to the high-profile additions of running back Nick Singleton, quarterback Drew Allar, or defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, one future Nittany Lion fit the bill.

“I kind of honed in on Keon Wiley. I think he’s gonna be really talented for us,” Smith said on the early signing day in December. “He just has something extra that, I don’t think he gets the acclaim that he’s deserving.” 

A 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker out of Philadelphia’s Imhotep Charter Institute, Wylie has not gone completely unnoticed.

How Keon Wylie landed at Penn State

Coming off a senior season in which he delivered nine sacks and 10 TFLs, Wylie was one of four future Nittany Lions selected to participate in the 2022 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January. 

That recognition, on top of his three appearances as a PIAA all-state selection through his high school career, came on top of a host of recruiting attention across the country. And while given three-star status by On3, ESPN, and 247Sports, helping to form his On3 Consensus rating of three stars, a No. 520 national ranking, and the 51st-ranked linebacker, the expectations for Wylie at Penn State are much loftier. 

“Keon Wiley, I think he may be the best player on the defensive side,” Smith said. “This guy’s a humble servant. He just doesn’t say much. But when you look at the production of his film, I mean, this guy gets after it every snap. I mean, he plays relentless to the football.” 

Notably, the film of Wylie is primarily that of a defensive end at the high school level.

Playing his first extensive time as a linebacker for the All-American Bowl, assistant coach and former Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter cited a litany of attributes suiting Wylie for the position. Intelligence and a high football IQ chief among them, Trotter saw in Wylie a player sliding seamlessly into a new opportunity. 

“I couldn’t tell that he hadn’t played linebacker before. They’re two totally different positions and the way you attack is different, so he’s impressed me,” Trotter told BWI. “He’ll do great at Penn State. He’s physical, smart, and has a good feel for the position.”

Next steps

Even so, Wylie isn’t rushing the process.

Content to learn the position more fully, Wylie acknowledged the reality of the challenges he’ll face as a Nittany Lion. Determined to exhibit the qualities that led to his landing at Penn State, all options remain open to be explored.

“I’m not looking to come in and demand anything right away. It’s whoever earns it,” Wylie said to BWI in January. “I just want to come in, give my all and we’ll see what happens.”

If Smith’s assessment proves correct, that could eventually make Wylie’s name one for Penn State fans to keep in mind. 

“When he comes here and we put a couple of pounds on him, get him a little bit stronger, I think the upside of this guy is tremendous,” Smith said. “We’re just excited about what he brings to the table.”