Why 2026 Three-Star DL Alexander Haskell’s Surprise Commitment to Penn State Has Everyone Talking

Every so often, a commitment lands that just “feels” right—and Alexander Haskell’s verbal pledge to Penn State is one of those moments. Coming out of St. Joseph’s Prep in Philly, this Class of 2026 three-star defensive lineman decided to plant his flag where it all started: right here in Pennsylvania. Choosing the Nittany Lions over powerhouse finalists like Duke, Michigan, and Syracuse, Haskell’s connection to the program runs deep—not just geographically but emotionally. He’s buzzing with excitement about suiting up under James Franklin and the new defensive wizard Jim Knowles, who, fun fact, shares roots with Haskell at St. Joe’s. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, with versatility that could see him wreak havoc both at defensive end and tackle, this kid’s got his sights set on big things in Happy Valley. The fact that he streamed his commitment live on Instagram just adds to the energy surrounding his decision—there’s no doubt this is just the beginning of a compelling story.

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AdvertisementHe chose Penn State over fellow finalists Duke, Michigan and Syracuse.Advertisement

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AdvertisementHaskell, out of St. Joseph’s Preparatory in Philadelphia, currently ranks as the No. 24 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania and the No. 39 defensive end in the 2026 cycle.Despite the many options, Haskell knew Penn State was home.AdvertisementClass of 2026 three-star defensive end/defensive tackle Alexander Haskell is a Nittany Lion. He announced his verbal committed to Penn State on Friday, live streaming his ceremony via Instagram.