Penn State’s “Winter Weekend” had plenty of buzz - from wrestling packing the Bryce Jordan Center to hockey taking over Beaver Stadium - but it turns out football wasn’t going to let the weekend pass without making some noise of its own.
Late Saturday night, the Nittany Lions landed their first commitment for the Class of 2028, as defensive back Deonte Flemings announced his pledge to Penn State. Yes, 2028 - we’re talking about a player who still has nearly two full years before he can even sign a National Letter of Intent. But that’s the world of modern recruiting, and this early commitment is a signal that head coach Matt Campbell and his staff are wasting no time planting seeds for the future.
Flemings is a name that should ring a bell for Penn State fans who follow the recruiting trail closely. He’s from Erie, Pennsylvania, and plays his high school ball at McDowell - the same program that produced offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, who committed to the Nittany Lions early in the 2024 cycle.
That connection isn’t just a fun coincidence. Cousins was the first commitment of his class as well, and he’s since blossomed into a vocal leader and likely starter up front for the 2026 squad.
Now, Flemings steps into a similar role - the first domino in what Penn State hopes will become another strong class. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he’s listed as a cornerback, and that size immediately jumps off the page.
It’s rare to see that kind of length at the position, especially this early in a player’s development. While he hasn’t yet received a rating from major recruiting services like 247Sports or Rivals - again, not unusual for a player this far out from signing day - the physical tools and early interest from a Power Five program like Penn State speak volumes.
Flemings was on campus over the weekend, soaking in the atmosphere during a weekend that showcased the university’s athletic pride across multiple sports. That visit clearly made an impression - and the feeling was mutual.
For Campbell and his staff, this commitment adds another layer to their recent recruiting momentum. After putting together a 2026 class in the wake of signing day, they’ve been aggressive in targeting top in-state talent for 2027.
Now, they’ve jumped even further ahead, locking in a foundational piece for 2028.
It’s early - very early - but in today’s recruiting landscape, early commitments can set the tone for a cycle. Flemings gives Penn State a head start, and if his trajectory follows anything close to the path Cousins has taken, this could be a commitment we look back on as a key move in building the Lions' future defense.