Penn State Football Recruiting Rankings: Will Penn State Have a Top-10 Class for 2025?

The national recruiting rankings suggest Penn State is building a strong 2025 recruiting class. Will that hold?

Penn State coach James Franklin guides the Nittany Lions during the 2023 Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

College football recruiting rankings can swing wildly in spring, as teams move through a rather lulled period between commitment cycles and the recruiting services continue to refine their ratings. The Blue-White Game often is a popular time for a commitment announcement or two, which means the Penn State football 2025 recruiting class could grow this weekend. After that, the commitment cycle picks up steam during the summer.

So where does coach James Franklin's 11-player recruiting class rank nationally? The moods swing from No. 7 to No. 15, depending on the recruiting service. Let's take a look.

Rivals: No. 7

Top-ranked players: Linebacker DJ McClary (4-star, 5.9 rating), running back Tiqwau Hayes (4-star, 5.8 rating), quarterback Bekkem Kritza (4-star, 5.8 rating).

247Sports: No. 7

Top-ranked players: Linebacker DJ McClary (4-star, player rating of 90), linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (4-star, player rating of 90), running back Kiandrea Barker (4-star, player rating of 90).

ESPN: No. 9

Top-ranked players: Linebacker DJ McClary (4-star, No. 145 in ESPN 300), tight end Brady O'Hara (4-star, No. 242 in ESPN 300), linebacker Alex Tatsch (4-star, No. 286 in ESPN 300).

On3: No. 15

Top-ranked players: Linebacker DJ McClary (4-star, player rating 92.13), linebacker Alex Tatsch (4-star, player rating 91.66), linebacker Dayshaun Burnett (4-star, player rating 89.47).

Clearly, Penn State has recruited some solid linebackers in the 2025 class. According to On3, the class' three linebackers all rank among the top 35 nationally at the position. Penn State also has two highly ranked running backs (Barker and Hayes) but just two offensive lineman and one receiver. Of course, the class isn't even half full and could get another quarterback.

Penn State was a finalist for 4-star Pennsylvania prospect Matt Zollers, who recently committed to Missouri. Zollers also became the first commit of Missouri's 2025 recruiting class, so it's never too late.

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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.