Penn State just added another intriguing piece to its 2026 recruiting puzzle - and this one has the kind of upside that fits the Nittany Lions’ defensive identity. Elijah Reeder, an edge rusher out of Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey, committed to Penn State following an official visit to State College over the weekend.
Reeder’s recruitment has taken a few turns. He originally signed with Iowa State on December 3, the opening day of the early signing period, after a quick official visit to Ames.
But just days later, he reopened his recruitment, setting off a brief but competitive pursuit that included interest from Missouri and Rutgers. Ultimately, Reeder made one more visit - to Penn State - and that was enough to seal the deal.
At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Reeder brings a lean, athletic frame with plenty of room to grow, and his senior season numbers back up the buzz. He tallied 50 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, flashing the kind of disruptive traits coaches covet in a modern edge defender. He’s got the length, the first-step quickness, and the flexibility to bend around the corner - all key tools in Penn State’s edge-rushing toolkit.
According to Rivals’ Industry Rankings - a composite that blends evaluations from Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN - Reeder checks in at No. 525 nationally, No. 53 among defensive ends, and ninth overall in the state of New Jersey. Among players who initially signed with Iowa State, he’s now the highest-ranked recruit to flip to the Nittany Lions.
From a scouting perspective, Reeder is seen as a developmental prospect, but one with real long-term potential. He’s not a finished product, but the traits are there - and they’re the kind Penn State has had success molding in the past. His wingspan and explosiveness give him a foundation to build on, and with time in a Power Five strength program, he could grow into a difference-maker off the edge.
Reeder becomes the second defensive lineman to commit to Penn State’s 2026 class, joining four-star Jackson Ford out of Pennsylvania. Together, they represent a clear statement: the Nittany Lions are continuing to prioritize high-upside talent in the trenches. It’s a strategy that’s served them well in recent years, and with Reeder now in the fold, the defensive front for the future just got a little deeper - and a lot more intriguing.