Jimmy Kalis, the towering 6-foot-8, 285-pound offensive lineman out of Pittsburgh Central Catholic, has narrowed his recruitment to six schools - and it’s a who’s who of college football powerhouses.
Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, Texas, Miami, and Clemson have all made the cut for the four-star prospect, who ranks as the No. 18 offensive tackle and the No. 183 overall player in the 2027 class. But the list might not be as final as it seems. Penn State, while left off the top six, is still firmly in the mix after a recent re-offer from new head coach Matt Campbell.
Kalis has already lined up a spring visit to Happy Valley, giving Penn State a real shot to make up ground. “Penn State is also in the mix,” Kalis told On3. “Penn State didn’t make the top since because I haven’t visited with the new staff, but [it’s] a school to keep an eye on.”
That’s a telling quote. The Nittany Lions may be playing catch-up, but they’re not out of the race - especially with a visit on deck. Kalis originally received an offer from Penn State back in January 2025 under former head coach James Franklin, but with the program under new leadership, the recruitment has taken on a fresh tone.
As for the rest of his visit schedule, Kalis is making the rounds this spring and summer. He’s set to check out Clemson and Miami during spring practice, giving both ACC programs a shot to make their case in person.
Then comes a trio of official visits: LSU (April 17-19), Georgia (May 15-17), and Texas (June 5-7). Ohio State, meanwhile, is working to lock in a date of its own.
Each of these programs brings a unique pitch to the table - from LSU’s SEC pedigree to Texas’ momentum under Steve Sarkisian, to Georgia’s back-to-back national title runs earlier this decade. And then there’s Ohio State, a perennial Big Ten powerhouse with a long history of developing elite offensive linemen.
What makes Kalis’ recruitment even more intriguing is the family legacy he’s carving his own path from. His father, Todd Kalis, played at Arizona State in the mid-80s before heading to the NFL.
His brother, Kyle, suited up for Michigan from 2012 to 2016. But Jimmy?
He’s charting his own course, and he’s doing it with the kind of frame and upside that has top programs lining up.
With visits locked in and more on the horizon, Kalis’ recruitment is heating up - and while six schools are officially on the list, don’t be surprised if a few more stay in the picture. This one’s far from over.