Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is already starting to take on a distinct Iowa State flavor - and it might be adding another familiar name to the mix.
On Tuesday afternoon, three-star EDGE rusher Elijah Reeder announced he’s been released from his National Letter of Intent to Iowa State, officially reopening his recruitment. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound prospect out of Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey, is the No. 8-ranked player in the state, according to the 247Sports composite. And if the early signs are any indication, Penn State is in a strong position to land him.
Reeder posted a message on social media thanking Iowa State for the opportunity and explaining that, after conversations with his family and plenty of reflection, he’s decided to decommit. His recruitment is now “100% open.”
This move comes as Penn State continues to build momentum under new head coach Matt Campbell, who made the jump from Iowa State after a decade in Ames. Campbell’s arrival in Happy Valley has already brought a wave of familiar faces - four former Iowa State commits have flipped to Penn State’s 2026 class. Reeder could be next in line.
What makes this situation especially interesting is Reeder’s connection to Campbell and longtime Iowa State defensive line coach Eli Rasheed. In an interview with 247Sports, Reeder made it clear that both coaches played a major role in his initial commitment to the Cyclones.
“I feel truly blessed by God to be given this opportunity and truly appreciate the coaches over at Iowa State for believing in me,” Reeder said. “The coaches are all very down to earth and incredible people. One of the reasons I fell in love with the program is because their staff - like Matt Campbell and Eli Rasheed - have been a part of the program for a decade now.”
That kind of continuity and trust clearly resonated with Reeder, and it’s no surprise that Penn State is now seen as the frontrunner. Both of 247Sports’ “Crystal Ball” predictions currently have him landing in Happy Valley.
For Penn State, this recruitment is about more than just landing a talented EDGE prospect - it’s also about re-establishing a foothold in New Jersey, a state that’s long been rich with talent but has proven tricky for the Nittany Lions to consistently dominate in recent cycles. Under James Franklin, Penn State had its ups and downs in the Garden State. With Campbell now steering the ship, rebuilding that pipeline could become a major priority - and Reeder would be a strong step in the right direction.
As for Rasheed, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be joining Campbell in State College. The two have worked side-by-side for more than a decade, dating back to their time together at Toledo before moving to Iowa State. Rasheed’s future could have a ripple effect on Reeder’s recruitment as well.
For now, Reeder is back on the market, and Penn State fans have every reason to keep a close eye on where things go from here. A long, athletic pass rusher with ties to the new staff and top-tier in-state ranking? That’s exactly the kind of addition that could help shape the early identity of Campbell’s first full recruiting class in blue and white.