Penn State has secured its first commitment in the 2028 class under head coach Matt Campbell and it comes from one of the most promising recruits in Pennsylvania. Erie (Pa.) McDowell defensive back Deonte Flemings Jr. committed to the Nittany Lions on Saturday while on campus for a junior day visit.
Penn State offered the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Flemings Jr. on Jan. 23 and he quickly locked in a junior day visit with the Nittany Lions after that. Penn State beat out Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia to land the in-state standout.
“First and foremost, I think the new coaching staff is ready to compete already and that’s one thing that I love,” Fleming told 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn. “Coach Campbell is a very honest guy and family oriented that’s what it’s about to me and my family. I need somebody that’s going to be on me when my parents not around and turn me to the best version of myself.”
Cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and safeties coach Deon Broomfield were both involved with Flemings Jr. upon offering and spearheaded Penn State’s pursuit leading up to Saturday’s commitment. Flemings Jr. spent ample time with Smith while he was on campus Saturday. Flemings Jr. also spoke with Campbell and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
“Talked to the head coach, coach Terry Smith, who’s one of the best DB coaches in the country and the defensive coordinator,” Flemings Jr. said. “
Smith’s contact with Flemings Jr. dates back to his freshman year and the two have a solid relationship.
“Great person overall, for sure,” Flemings Jr. said. “He will tell the truth about anything.”
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Flemings Jr. is coming off a sophomore season in which he was one of the top young defensive backs in Pennsylvania. He was the only District 10 player named to the Pennsylvania Football News select All-State team in 6A. Flemings earned second-team defensive athlete after helping McDowell to a PIAA 6A subregional appearance.
Flemings Jr. is the first player from McDowell to commit to Penn State since current Nittany Lions offensive lineman Cooper Cousins in the 2024 class. Like Cousins, Flemings Jr. committed to Penn State early in his recruitment and profiles as a leader of the class for Campbell and his staff now that he is on board.
In addition to being Penn State’s first commitment in the 2028 class, Flemings Jr. is the first high school recruit to commit to play for Campbell and the new Penn State staff outside of the 2026 recruiting class.
“Nobody will be better at developing their student athletes and our high school football players than us,” Campbell said during his introductory press conference in December. “We’ve proven that every step of the way. I think you can ask (San Francisco 49ers quarterback) Brock Purdy, (New York Jets running back Breece Hall, (Detroit Lions running back) David Montgomery and (New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald, man.
“It the flash of the stars. That’s cool on Signing Day, but winning football games on Saturday is what we’re going to be about, and that’s development. “And we’re going to have to be better than anybody in college football if we want to get where we want to go.”