Penn State has built a reputation that speaks for itself when it comes to developing elite EDGE talent. From Micah Parsons to Odafe Oweh, Chop Robinson to Abdul Carter, the Nittany Lions have become one of the premier programs for turning raw pass-rushing potential into NFL-ready production. And now, they may be eyeing the next star in that lineage.
On Tuesday, Penn State extended a scholarship offer to Jalanie George - a name you’ll want to remember. George is a five-star EDGE rusher out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona, and he’s already turning heads across the country.
According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 2 overall player in the 2028 class and the top-ranked EDGE defender in the cycle. That kind of ranking doesn’t just happen - it’s earned, and George is showing exactly why he’s at the top.
The offer from Penn State came after a conversation with quarterbacks coach Jake Waters and marked the 24th Division I offer of George’s recruitment. That number alone tells you he’s not flying under any radar. But what makes Penn State’s interest especially intriguing is the program’s history of developing players just like him - long, explosive, high-motor athletes who can wreck a game plan from the edge.
And George already looks the part. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame that college coaches dream about - long enough to keep tackles at bay, sturdy enough to hold the edge, and still with room to grow.
His freshman tape backs it up. George shows advanced instincts and play speed for his age, consistently chasing down plays from the backside and flashing that rare first-step burst that separates the good from the great.
In 2024, he racked up 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks - strong numbers for a freshman, especially in a state like Arizona where high school football talent is on the rise. He was named a MaxPreps Freshman All-American and helped lead Desert Edge to the Arizona 5A state title, which only adds to his growing résumé.
Sure, it’s still early in the 2028 recruiting cycle, and a lot can happen between now and signing day. George could eventually grow into a different role - maybe even slide inside or take on more of a hybrid front-seven spot depending on how his body develops. But as it stands, he fits the mold of what Penn State has built its defensive identity around: athletic, aggressive, and disruptive off the edge.
For now, the offer is just the first step. But when a program like Penn State - with its proven track record of EDGE development - comes calling this early, it’s a clear signal: they see something special. And if George’s trajectory continues, he could be the next name added to the Nittany Lions’ growing list of pass-rushing stars.