Stanley Montgomery Re-Opens Recruitment, Sets Sights on Penn State Visit
Penn State’s recruiting momentum may have slowed to start February, but the door is far from closed on key in-state talent-and one intriguing prospect just stepped back into the picture.
Three-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery, a Philadelphia native and one of Pennsylvania’s top Class of 2027 recruits, officially decommitted from Syracuse on February 3. The announcement, made via social media, reopens his recruitment at a pivotal time-and Penn State is already in the mix.
Montgomery, ranked No. 537 nationally and No. 18 in the state by the 247Sports Composite, is exactly the type of player Matt Campbell and his staff need to keep within Pennsylvania borders. At 6-foot-3 with a sturdy frame and a disruptive presence in the trenches, Montgomery brings versatility and upside to the defensive front. While he may not carry a five-star label, his motor and physicality have drawn attention from multiple Power Five programs-and his recruitment is heating up quickly.
Just hours after announcing his decommitment, Montgomery locked in an official visit to Penn State, scheduled for May 29. That visit won’t be his first trip to Happy Valley, either.
He was on campus for an unofficial visit on January 31, just two weeks after receiving an offer from the Nittany Lions on January 15. The timing of these visits-and the offer itself-suggests mutual interest that’s gaining traction.
For Campbell, landing Montgomery would be more than just adding a talented lineman to the 2027 class. It would be a statement.
After missing out on five-star running back Kemon Spell, another high-profile in-state recruit, the pressure is on to secure local talent and build a foundation with Pennsylvania’s best. Montgomery fits that mold-an in-state prospect with upside, familiarity with the program, and growing interest in what Penn State has to offer.
And make no mistake: the timing of Montgomery’s decommitment and subsequent visit plans isn’t coincidental. The Nittany Lions are very much in play here, and with several months to build a relationship before his official visit, Campbell and his staff have a real shot to close the deal.
Recruiting battles are rarely won overnight, but this one’s shaping up to be a key test for Penn State’s 2027 class strategy. Montgomery is back on the board-and the Nittany Lions are firmly in the hunt.