Penn State has landed another heralded recruit from the region.
Tyson Harley, a four-star defensive end from Gonzaga (D.C), verbally committed to Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class on Saturday.
Harley, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge rusher, ranks as high as the No. 186 prospect nationally and the No. 24 defensive end in the 2026 cycle, according to on3.
Penn State was viewed as the favorite to land Harley, who chose the Nittany Lions over finalists Maryland, Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Rutgers after multiple visits to Happy Valley.
Harley is the second defensive end in Penn State’s 2026 class, joining Malvern Prep four-star Jackson Ford, who verbally committed last weekend. Harley and Ford were high on the Nittany Lions’ board for a long time, and landing both is a win for James Franklin’s program.
Harley’s commitment is a part of a bounce back recruiting effort by Penn State’s staff. Last month, blue-chip defensive ends Luke Wafle and Carter Meadows — arguably the Nittany Lions’ top targets at the position — picked USC and Michigan, respectively.
June was a bit of a rough month for the Nittany Lions overall. On top of Wafle and Meadows going elsewhere, Penn State saw three top targets — safety Joey O’Brien, offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh and cornerback Khary Adams — land at Notre Dame.
But Harley — a toolsy, explosive prospect from the same program that produced Olu Fashanu — is a good get as Penn State puts the finishing touches on an impressive 2026 class.
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