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Penn State Receives 2025 Commitment from New Jersey Defensive Back

Omari Gaines becomes the second New Jersey player to commit to Penn State for 2025.

Mark Wogenrich

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Penn State returned to New Jersey for its next prospect, as defensive back Omari Gaines joined the Lions' 2025 recruiting class. Gaines announced his decision on Twitter.

Gaines, a 3-star defensive back according to the recruiting site On3, will attend Malcolm X Shabazz High in Newark this season. He played at St. Peter's Prep last year.

Gaines (6-2, 180 pounds) also has offers from Boston College, Duke, Rutgers, West Virginia and Syracuse, among other schools. He recently visited Penn State before announcing his commitment. According to NJ.com, Gaines has been a frequent visitor to Penn State camps and developed a strong relationship with Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith.

Penn State has kicked off its 2025 recruiting class with two New Jersey players. In January, Jaelyne Matthews, the top-ranked player in New Jersey, became the first to commit to Penn State for 2025.

Gaines is the second player to commit to Penn State in four days. On Saturday, tight end Luke Reynolds of Connecticut became the fifth player in the Lions' 2024 recruiting class. Reynolds, a 3-star prospect according to 247Sports, also has offers from Boston College, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.

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Mark Wogenrich
MARK WOGENRICH

Mark Wogenrich is Editor and Publisher of AllPennState, the site for Penn State news on SI's FanNation Network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs and three Rose Bowls.

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