Penn State Kicks Off June With 3 Commitments

The Lions boosted their 2024 recruiting class significantly during June's first weekend of official visits.

The first weekend of official-visit season was a huge success for Penn State, which landed three commitments to its 2024 recruiting class. The commitments improved Penn State's national ranking to No. 6, boosted the defense and continued the Lions' reach into Florida.

Penn State on Sunday received commitments from 4-star safety Dejuan Lane, 3-star offensive lineman Deryc Plazz and 3-star defensive end Xavier Gilliam. Lane and Gilliam are from Maryland, while Plazz is the third player from Jacksonville, Florida, to commit to Penn State's 2024 class. More here on Plazz, who is ranked among the top 10 players in Florida. And here's a look Lane and Gilliam, the prospects from Maryland.

Dejuan Lane Commits to Penn State

Lane, a 4-star safety according to the 247Sports Composite, attends Baltimore's Gilman School, where he plays wide receiver and defensive back. He's the No. 8 safety in Maryland, according to 247Sports, but potentially could play multiple positions for the Lions. The 6-3,  195-pound Lane chose Penn State from a top-5 that included Notre Dame, Michigan, Maryland and Georgia. He also received a flurry of recent offers, including from Texas A&M and UCLA. Lane is the fourth defensive back in Penn State's 2024 class.

1000# COMMITTED 🔵⚪️ #WeAre🦁 pic.twitter.com/WQjzJVkIfR

— Dejuan “SPARKPLUG” Lane (@Dejuan24) June 5, 2023

Xavier Gilliam Chooses Penn State

Gilliam, a 3-star edge rusher from Maryland's Wilde Lake High, is the first defensive lineman to commit to Penn State since Deion Barnes took over as defensive line coach. Gilliam also is the first defensive lineman to commit to the Lions' 2024 class.

Ranked as the No. 29 player in Maryland, according to the 247Sports Composite, Gilliam already boasts playmaking size (6-3, 245 pounds). Like Plazz and Lane, Gilliam made an official visit to Penn State this past weekend. He does have official visits scheduled for North Carolina State, Virginia Tech and Duke. Maryland but announced that he has shut down the recruiting process Texas A&M and Minnesota are among the schools to offer Gilliam as well.

Penn State has 17 players committed to its 2024 recruiting class, which improved to sixth nationally, according to 247Sports. The Lions rank third in the Big Ten behind Michigan and Ohio State.

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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.