Penn State just got a head start on its 2028 recruiting class, and they did it in style. Over the weekend, standout sophomore Deonte Flemings Jr., a rising star out of McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, became the first player in that class to commit to the Nittany Lions. The announcement came while Flemings was on campus, getting a firsthand look at the program’s facilities and its new coaching regime.
Now, let’s be clear - this isn’t just any early commitment. Flemings is already turning heads as one of the top young defensive backs in the state, if not the country.
Despite being only halfway through his high school career, he’s already stacked an impressive list of offers that includes Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and West Virginia. Penn State joined that list last month - and wasted no time locking him in as their first pledge of the 2028 cycle.
Flemings’ breakout came this past fall, when he earned All-State honors from Pennsylvania Football News for his play in Class 6A, the state’s highest level of competition. His film shows a DB with natural instincts, smooth footwork, and a physical edge that sets him apart from most players his age.
He’s not shy about the work he’s put in, either. Back in November, Flemings talked about how much progress he made in his technique - especially in off-man coverage.
“I got way better,” he said. “I learned how to weave and open up faster, and got quicker at breaking on the ball.
I definitely worked on that over the summer a lot, and it paid off during this season.”
And while his coverage skills are what get most of the attention, Flemings wants people to know he’s not just a finesse player. “I feel like some people probably downplay my tackling skills, but I’m a DB that can tackle,” he said. “There are a couple of tackles on film, but like, I can lay the boom, and I didn’t get a lot of chances to show that off.”
If that sounds like confidence, it should - but it’s backed up by production and a physical style of play that’s rare in a sophomore cornerback. Flemings joins a growing list of blue-chip prospects coming out of McDowell High, following in the footsteps of former Penn State commit Cooper Cousins, who also pledged early and just wrapped up his sophomore season as a starting guard in the Pinstripe Bowl.
New head coach Matt Campbell is already making his presence felt in Pennsylvania. Landing a high-upside, in-state talent like Flemings this early in the cycle sends a strong message: the Nittany Lions aren’t waiting around to build their future.
But this is just the beginning - Flemings won’t be eligible to sign until December 2027, and with his recruiting profile, other programs are sure to keep calling. This one’s far from over.
Still, the early signs are promising for Penn State. Defensive backs coaches Deon Broomfield and Terry Smith were instrumental in securing the commitment, and the recent visit gave Flemings a chance to connect with Campbell and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
“I think the new coaching staff is ready to compete already, and that’s one thing that I love,” Flemings said. “Coach Campbell is a very honest guy and family-oriented.
That’s what it’s about to me and my family. I need somebody that’s going to be on me when my parents are not around and turn me into the best version of myself.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what coaches want to hear from a young player - especially one with Flemings’ ceiling. He’s the first underclassman to commit to Penn State since Campbell took over in December, and with the 2028 class still in its infancy, this could be the first domino to fall.
The Nittany Lions are already deep into their evaluations of future talent and have hosted several early targets on campus. Expect more visits, more evaluations, and likely more commitments as we head into spring practices. But for now, Penn State has planted its flag with a big-time in-state defender - and that’s a strong way to open the next chapter of the Campbell era.