Breaking: Penn State Lands Another Blockbuster Trade for Top-Rated Talent…
Penn State is hosting a highly talented group of high school players for official visits this weekend, with three players emerging as top priorities for head coach James Franklin’s roster.
The first official visit of the summer recruiting cycle took place on Friday, May 17, when five-star defensive lineman Iose Epenesa visited Happy Valley. Epenesa, from Illinois, also spent time at Missouri and Iowa and remains uncommitted. Among the 11 high school recruits who visited Penn State that weekend, 10 are still uncommitted, participating in the first of Franklin’s summer football camps.
The visiting group included key targets such as four-star receiver Quincy Porter, four-star edge rushers Max Granville and Cedric Works, and four-star cornerback Graceson Littleton, who has since committed to Clemson. Another group of 10 players arrived on June 7.
Top Recruits in the Latest Visit Group:
- Kainoa Winston, S: 4-star
- Daryus Dixon, OL: 4-star
- Phillip Bell, WR: 4-star
- Jayden Woods, EDGE: 4-star
- Jeff Exinor Jr., EDGE: 4-star
- Rashad Johnson, S: 4-star
- Jarquez Carter, DL: 3-star
- Matthew Outten, WR: 4-star
- Josh Johnson, S: 3-star
- Amory Hills, OL: 3-star
Key Prospects:
Kainoa Winston
Kainoa Winston, the younger cousin of Penn State standout Kevin Winston Jr., could be an ideal addition to the Nittany Lions’ secondary. Kevin Winston Jr., one of the top safeties in college football, is likely headed to the NFL after this season. Although King Mack was expected to follow in the defensive backfield, his departure via the spring transfer portal has left Penn State needing reinforcements.
Keaton Ellis and Zakee Wheatley will be crucial to the safety rotation in 2024, but with Mekhi Flowers moving to offense for his redshirt sophomore season, options are limited for 2025 and beyond.
Phillip Bell
Wide receiver is a critical area of need for Penn State. The addition of Julian Fleming for 2024 is only a temporary fix. Penn State has struggled to secure top targets for quarterback Drew Allar, despite the NFL demonstrating the high value of elite receivers. James Franklin is bringing in only eight receivers for official visits this summer, with just three being four-star recruits.
Phillip Bell, one of California’s top receivers, is also being courted by Ohio State, USC, and Tennessee.
Matthew Outten
Matthew Outten presents an intriguing option for offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. While his downfield receiving skills need improvement—he tends to wait for the ball instead of attacking it—his physical playing style and vision make him a formidable presence once he has the ball. Outten could excel as a hybrid receiver/running back, with Kotelnicki designing plays to maximize his strengths.
Outten’s unique skill set means he needs a creative offense to thrive. Despite being a four-star recruit, his main competition comes from Virginia Tech and Syracuse, both pursuing the Portsmouth, Virginia native.
As Penn State continues to navigate the summer recruiting cycle, securing commitments from these key players could significantly bolster the team’s future prospects.
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