Penn State is making moves on the recruiting trail, and it’s clear the Nittany Lions are wasting no time trying to reestablish their footing with some of the nation’s top talent. On January 23, edge rushers coach Christian Smith made a key stop at Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut to visit one of Penn State’s top targets in the 2027 class - four-star edge rusher Mekai Brown.
Brown is no stranger to Happy Valley. He made an unofficial visit back in late August, just as the 2025 season kicked off.
At the time, Penn State looked like a program on the rise, and Brown came away impressed. But as the season wore on and the team hit a rough patch, that early momentum faded.
Like many recruits, Brown started looking elsewhere as the program struggled through a downturn.
That may be changing.
Smith’s visit seems to have rekindled the relationship, and Penn State didn’t waste the opportunity - re-extending an offer to Brown and putting themselves back in the mix. Brown responded with enthusiasm, making it clear on social media that the Nittany Lions have his attention again. He also expressed interest in returning for another visit, this time to get a closer look at new head coach Matt Campbell and the revamped staff in State College.
Make no mistake - Brown is a big-time prospect. Ranked No. 6 among all edge rushers in the 2027 class and No. 57 overall nationally, he’s also the top player in the state of Connecticut, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. At 6-foot-5 with a frame built for disruption, Brown brings the kind of athleticism and upside that defensive coordinators dream about.
But Penn State isn’t the only program chasing his signature.
Brown holds 27 offers, and the competition is fierce. Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Texas A&M - the list reads like a who’s who of college football powerhouses.
The Fighting Irish were the most recent to offer before Penn State rejoined the conversation, extending their offer just one day prior. Tennessee, meanwhile, is the only other school Brown has visited so far, making a trip to Knoxville back in mid-November to watch the Vols take on New Mexico State.
This recruitment is far from over, and Penn State knows it. Re-engaging Brown is just the first step. Now it’s about building trust, showing a clear vision under Campbell, and proving that the program is headed in the right direction - on and off the field.
Interestingly, Brown’s renewed interest came on the same day another elite edge rusher, George Parkinson IV, expressed excitement about connecting with the new staff. Parkinson, a Top 100 prospect in the 2028 class, ranks No. 52 nationally and could be another cornerstone for the future if Penn State can keep the momentum going.
For now, the message is clear: Penn State isn’t backing down in the recruiting race. The staff is out in full force, and with players like Mekai Brown back on the radar, the Nittany Lions are working to make sure the next chapter in State College starts with a strong foundation.