Penn State made an impression on Jess Officer in a hurry.
The three-star linebacker from Oldham County High School in Buckner, Kentucky, picked up an offer after attending a recruiting camp in June, and the appeal was immediate. For a player at his position, the draw of the Nittany Lions carried extra weight.
“I was so hyped,” he told Nittany Sports Now, “and just especially because it is LBU, and they have such great linebackers there right now with Tony Rojas and the crew there, it’s just, I mean, it’s awesome that they’re looking at someone like me.”
Officer’s Penn State experience didn’t stop there. He also made the trip to the White Out game against USC on Oct. 11 and was in the building for the largest-attended game in Beaver Stadium history.
Penn State didn’t give him the result it wanted that night. The Nittany Lions lost to USC, extending their skid to four straight and leaving them at 3-4 as they still search for their first Big Ten win approaching the end of October.
Officer, though, isn’t reading too much into the record. He pointed to the bigger picture around the program and the staff working to rebuild it.
“It’s (coach Matt Campbell’s) first year there, so I’m not gonna like keep tallies on a coach who’s trying to renovate or bring back a program.”
Penn State is firmly in the mix for him. Officer said the Nittany Lions are in his top five, and he has other offers from Auburn, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Northwestern, Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.
What stands out to him most is the people around the program.
“A lot of those guys are just great people, and they’re attracted to a group of people who are great too,” he said.
Officer believes his game matches what Penn State wants on defense. He described himself as a fast, physical linebacker who processes quickly and plays with energy.
“I think I’m just a smart football player that plays fast and physical, makes my reads and flies around, and I think that’s also like character-wise,” he said. “If you’re smart off the field, you’re probably smart on the field.”
He added, “I think I just have solid character in a humble way, you know, I just handle my business, make sure I’m good in school, and my classwork taken care of, and I enjoy learning and progressing in all parts of life.”
Officer also said he watches Hall of Famer Luke Kuechley for ideas he can bring into his own game.
As for how he sees himself fitting at Penn State, he pointed to D’Anton Lynn’s defense and the way the linebackers are used.
“I feel like I’d fit in nicely,” he said. “They run two backers mainly.
It looked like they rotate a lot. So, I mean, it’s kind of just like feel like you could go there and get playing time and develop there early and stay there and have a good shot at going to wherever you are, like next in your journey.”
Officer’s recruitment is still unfolding, but Penn State is clearly one to watch.
“They’re a school that I’m definitely interested in,” he said.
In Other News...
Penn States Coaching Search Just Got Even Harder To Ignore
Kalani Sitake was one of the names that made the most sense in Penn States early search after James Franklin was fired, and the reporting around him only made that feel more real. He reportedly was close to taking the job, with a handshake deal in place, before ultimately deciding to stay at BYU after signing a contract extension reportedly worth more than $9 million a year.
For Penn State, that leaves a search that already had plenty of moving parts looking even more complicated in hindsight. Matt Campbell is in his first year leading the Nittany Lions and dealing with the usual pressure that comes with the job, while another candidate, Bob Chesney, is turning heads with success at UCLA, a reminder that the market is shifting while Penn State is still sorting through what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Star Luke Lilledahl Addressed His First Real Setback
Luke Lilledahls rise has been so fast that even his first real detour carries some weight. After winning the 125-pound NCAA wrestling championship for the 2025-26 season with a 2-1 victory over Marc-Anthony McGowan, the Penn State standout hit a rough patch at the recent U23 freestyle tournament in Las Vegas, where he went 1-2 and did not place.
For a wrestler headed into his junior season, a result like that can sting, but it also gives him something to carry back to Happy Valley. Lilledahl is expected to keep competing at 125 pounds for Penn State, and the hope now is that the setback in Las Vegas becomes fuel for the next stretch of his career rather than a pause in it. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Roster Makeover Hinges On 5 Newcomers Right Away
Penn States offseason roster work has brought in five newcomers who could shape how the basketball team looks right away. Guards Jay Rodgers and Roberts Blms join forwards Brant Byers, Roko Prkain and Tim Oboh, giving Mike Rhoades a mix of transfer help and international additions as he tries to reset the rotation.
The appeal is in how different those pieces are. Rodgers and Blms offer backcourt options, while Byers, Prkain and Oboh bring size, shooting, playmaking and defense to a group that needs more balance. The challenge now is turning all of that new talent into something functional quickly, because the pressure to improve under Rhoades starts as soon as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]