Is Penn State’s Recruiting Reign Ending as Notre Dame Makes a Surprising Surge?

Losing two prime offensive linemen recruits, Grayson McKeogh and Tyler Merrill, to a rival like Notre Dame stings in ways Penn State fans can feel deep down in their gut. Both homegrown Pennsylvanians and standout talents in the cycle, these losses are more than just numbers—they symbolize a troubling drift for the Nittany Lions as Notre Dame’s recruitment machine revs up, reaching even into future commitments. Watching top-tier prospects slip away—not only within Pennsylvania but stretching across the Big Ten and nationally—throws a sharp spotlight on Penn State’s recruiting struggles. And with safety Joey O’Brien, another prized in-state asset, reportedly leaning Irish, it’s clear this escalating battle isn’t cooling off any time soon. Penn State faces a critical question: can they regroup and defend their turf before the Fighting Irish cement their edge? LEARN MORE

AI-assisted summary
• Penn State has lost two offensive linemen recruits, Grayson McKeogh and Tyler Merrill, to Notre Dame.
• Both McKeogh and Merrill are from Pennsylvania and were highly-rated recruits.
• Notre Dame’s aggressive recruiting tactics are putting pressure on Penn State’s recruiting efforts, even extending offers to Penn State commits in future cycles.

To make matters worse, another Pennsylvania product in safety Joey O’Brien is said to be leaning in favor of the Irish. His five-star status as well makes it ever more painful, as Penn State fans are sure to notice the lack of one in this cycle thus far.First Grayson McKeogh, now Tyler Merrill. Those are two offensive linemen that the Nittany Lions have let slip through their grasp and have ended up with the Fighting Irish. Thus, this continues a slippery slope for the Nittany Lions as they continue to lose traction not just within their state, but in the Big Ten and on a national stage as well.

As the recruiting process grows ever more tense, look for this burgeoning recruiting rivalry to continue as Notre Dame gets ever more aggressive. They are already making moves in the 2027 cycle, extending an offer to a Penn State commit in the past couple of days. Thus the question arises: is Penn State rapidly losing ground in its own state, and will they be able to recover before it’s too late?

For the past couple of weeks, it has just been continuous bad news on the recruiting trail as more and more top recruits eschew the Nittany Lions in favor of the men from South Bend. McKeogh and Merrill specifically were Pennsylvania guys and two of the better O-linemen in the cycle.