​Matt Campbell has faced some hard lessons in recruiting recently, including a recent commitment flip from four-star running back Aiden Gibson, but he’s also enjoyed notable successes. He already has nine four-star commitments across the 2027 and 2028 classes and should be able to add several more in the years ahead.
Penn State’s Class of 2028 is already among the country’s best, featuring one of the top cornerbacks in the class, Deonte Flemings Jr., and a promising kicking prospect. The program is hopeful of securing a truly defining commitment from four-star offensive tackle Cannon Zubeck, who has been vocal in his praise of the university in recent days.
Zubeck told On3 Sports that he would “love to get to the in-state schools, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, Oklahoma.” It’s telling that Penn State was the first school he named, followed by reflections on what stands out about the program, such as, “The morals that their program stands by, the toughness they want out of their players.” While he spoke highly of the other programs mentioned, Penn State has not yet officially offered him, so his expressed admiration for the Nittany Lions is particularly encouraging. These comments could serve as a green light for the coaching staff to extend an offer or, at the very least, invite him to visit to deepen the relationship.
Zubeck is a colossal presence on the field, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing around 280 pounds, with the potential to become one of the greatest offensive line prospects in the nation. Rivals currently ranks the Kansas native as the third-best offensive tackle in the 2028 class and the No. 18 overall prospect in the top 300. With two more years of high school football and ample room to mature physically, Zubeck could easily ascend to a fifth star before his recruitment concludes. Securing him would represent the biggest coup of the Campbell era to date.
The momentum for Penn State, particularly in the 2027 and 2028 recruiting cycles, is building, and Campbell’s ability to navigate both inevitable setbacks and unexpected breakthroughs will continue to define the program’s trajectory. The Nittany Lions’ rising profile in these classes suggests a future in which Penn State can add several more high-impact players through careful evaluation, strong relationships, and timely offers. As the staff monitors the ongoing conversations with Zubeck and other top targets, they will be looking to convert interest into commitments that can shape the program’s long-term competitiveness.
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