ICYMI: Penn State confirm another 5-star commitment deal just now
Penn State’s 2025 recruiting efforts have entered a dramatic phase, highlighted by the team flipping a long-time prospect to bolster their defensive class on Tuesday. Blue White Illustrated provides in-depth coverage, with recruiting insider Sean Fitz discussing St. Joe’s Prep linebacker Cam Smith on the BWI YouTube Channel. To hear all about Smith’s path to joining the class, you can watch the full video in the article or directly on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel. Now is a great time to engage with us on the site or on YouTube.
Penn State stays on Cam Smith as the situation evolves
Smith had been a long-time target for Penn State, but he surprised many by committing to Duke on February 8. The connection between former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and Smith is evident, but Fitz digs deeper, highlighting a key assistant who followed Diaz to Duke and likely influenced Smith’s decision. Fitz also explores the circumstances surrounding Smith’s commitment to Duke at that time and how the Class of 2025 has changed since. Notably, New Jersey linebacker DJ McClary’s decision to flip to Rutgers this summer created an opening in the class.
Discussing Smith’s fit in Class of 2025
However, not all linebackers fit the same mold. Penn State has a range of defensive athletes at the position, including LaVar Arrington II. But what kind of linebacker is Smith, and can he be effective in the box for Penn State? We examine Smith’s characteristics and what he adds to the class. Additionally, we explore how his skill set addresses specific issues this defensive lineup encountered due to positional ambiguity.
Class of 2025 recap
Penn State continues to attract talent to the Class, maintaining momentum from a recruiting surge in June. Although the team missed out on some key receiver prospects, they have added two more players in the past three days, including Florida wide receiver Koby Howard on Sunday and Smith on Tuesday.
Smith, a St. Joe’s Prep standout from Philadelphia, also adds an in-state element to the recruiting class. Fitz evaluates Smith’s ranking within Pennsylvania and his overall star rating with On3 and the broader recruiting landscape. For more details, be sure to watch the video.