Penn State is already planting seeds for the future-and they just landed a big one.
Deonte Flemings, a promising cornerback out of McDowell High School in Pennsylvania, has committed to the Nittany Lions, becoming the first pledge in their 2028 recruiting class. That’s right-2028. While most programs are still focused on the current cycle or maybe the next, Penn State is getting ahead of the curve.
Flemings made his commitment shortly after attending Junior Day in Happy Valley, where he got a closer look at the program and the coaching staff. The visit clearly left an impression. He announced his decision on social media, tagging several Penn State coaches, including Matt Campbell, who’s wasting no time putting his stamp on the program’s future.
It’s worth noting that Flemings wasn’t short on options. He held offers from some notable programs-Notre Dame, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Pitt among them-which speaks volumes about how highly regarded he is this early in the process.
The Erie native plays his high school ball at McDowell, the same program that produced offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, who was the first commit in Penn State’s 2024 class. Now, Flemings takes on that same role for 2028, setting the tone for what the Nittany Lions hope will be another strong group.
Locking in a commitment this far out is rare, but it shows just how much confidence both sides have in the fit. For Penn State, it’s an early win on the recruiting trail. For Flemings, it’s a chance to be the foundational piece of something bigger.