The time comes every summer for college coaches to stay up late in preparation for the contact period for a future recruiting class — that time came for the 2027 bunch on Sunday.
Penn State’s off to a strong start in the class of 2027 with the trio of 5-star running back Kemon Spell, 4-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor and 4-star offensive tackle Layton Von Brandt all on board.
Who could join them? Here are some names to watch for the Nittany Lions.
Dakota Guerrant, wide receiver
Penn State already has a potential 5-star wide out on board in Taylor, but it wouldn’t hurt to add one who’s already a 5-star.
Dakota Guerrant’s one of the top players in the country, ranking in the 247Sports composite as the No. 21 player nationally, No. 4 wide receiver and No. 1 player in Michigan out of Harper Woods High School. In his sophomore season, he tallied 1,600 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns en route to a campaign that landed him as a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American.
He was offered in December 2023 and has since visited campus three times for an unofficial visit, including most recently where he camped this month.
Guerrant holds offers from schools such as LSU, Oregon, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
Peter Bourque, quarterback
Penn State has offered four 4-star quarterback prospects in the 2027 class in Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds, Peyton Houston, Keegan Croucher and Peter Bourque. Bourque’s the early favorite for the top guy.
Bourque plays for Tabor Academy in Massachusetts, where he’s the No. 90 player in the country, No. 10 quarterback and is the No. 1 player in the state.
In 2024, he threw for 1,737 yards for 17 touchdowns and three interceptions, also rushing for 317 yards.
The gunslinger holds offers from schools like Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M and Florida. He holds a crystal ball to Penn State from the 247Sports staff projection.
Seneca Driver, tight end
It doesn’t matter if it’s a blue-chip prospect or a diamond in the rough, Penn State has seemingly found a knack for players that perform at tight end.
A qualifying target in the 2027 class is 4-star Seneca Driver out of Boyle County High School in Kentucky. He’s the No. 101 player nationally, No. 6 tight end and No. 1 player in Kentucky.
He totaled 24 receptions for 353 yards and six scores during his sophomore season. He holds offers from schools like Michigan, Texas, Notre Dame and Missouri.
His first trip to Happy Valley was on June 6 for a camp.
Penn State football players sing the alma mater together after the 2025 Blue-White Game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The White team beat the Blue team 10-8.
Samantha Oropeza
Larry Moon III, safety
Safety Larry Moon III has been a name that Penn State has kept tabs on for a long time.
He’s a Pennsylvania native, having played for Aliquippa High School, where the Nittany Lions landed defensive end Zuriah Fisher and running back Tikey Hayes.
Moon has since transferred to IMG Academy in Florida, where Penn State has snagged running back Kaytron Allen and linebacker Kari Jackson.
Moon ranks as the No. 93 player nationally, No. 8 player in Florida and No. 7 at his position. He holds offers from elite programs across the country like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon.
Maxwell Hiller, offensive line
Penn State has one blue-chip prospect on board on the offensive line in the class with Von Brandt, so landing Maxwell Hiller would build a solid foundation for the foreseeable future.
Von Brandt has openly recruited him on social media to come join him in Happy Valley, and for good reason. Hiller ranks as the No. 39 player nationally, No. 3 interior offensive lineman and No. 2 in Pennsylvania.
He plays for in-state Coatesville Area High School, where Penn State 2026 linebacker commit Terry Wiggins plays.
Hiller has been to campus 10 times since receiving an offer in May 2023, and holds offers from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Notre Dame.
Abraham Sesay, defensive end
The best in PA stay in PA, and a defensive end target for Penn State resides in the Keystone State.
EDGE Abraham Sesay, who plays for Downingtown East High School, is a recruit to watch for on the defensive line. He’s currently unranked as a prospect, but that shouldn’t last for long.
He boasts offers from Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Syracuse, among others, and has been to campus twice since picking up his offer in March.
Sesay received a graphic from Penn State upon the start of the contact period, which he posted on X alongside Duke, Syracuse and Virginia.
Cameron Wagner, offensive lineman
Offensive lineman Cameron Wagner was a key player at Penn State’s camps this month.
The 4-star out of Illinois is rated as the No. 137 player nationally, No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 7 in Illinois.
He has an extensive list of offers that includes Ohio State, Notre Dame and Illinois. Penn State offered Wagner in February.
Head Coach James Franklin talks to reporters in the Lasch Football Building on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in University Park, Pa.
Alexandra Antoniono
Brandon Lockley, safety
Safety Brandon Lockley plays at a school that Penn State has struggled to recruit up until recently.
The 3-star is from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, where linebacker Cam Smith played and 2026 commit Alexander Haskell attends. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles also played there.
He’s ranked as the No. 34 safety nationally and No. 11 player in Pennsylvania.
His suitors include Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana and Syracuse.
Jimmy Kalis, offensive lineman
Offensive lineman Jimmy Kalis also resides on the other end of the state in Central Catholic in Pittsburgh. Linebacker Anthony Speca, wide receiver Peter Gonzalez and defensive back Xxavier Thomas are all from the program.
Kalis is a 4-star, ranking as the No. 214 player nationally, No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 8 player in the state. He holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Michigan.
Zykee Scott, linebacker
La Salle College is a name familiar to the Happy Valley faithful, with former star Abdul Carter playing there. It also has top 2026 targets in 4-star athlete Joey O’Brien and 4-star offensive tackle Grayson McKeough.
Linebacker Zykee Scott, who is currently unranked but projects to have a rating down the road, is a player to watch for 2027.
The Philadelphia native holds offers from schools like Oregon, Nebraska, Syracuse and Wisconsin.
Penn State was his first offer, getting the recognition in July of last year.
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Penn State has received its 20th commitment to its 2026 class.
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