Penn State Continues Recruiting Roll in Western Pennsylvania

Penn State is loading its 2025 recruiting class with western Pennsylvania prospects. The latest is 4-star linebacker Dayshaun Burnett, who committed to the Penn State football program Wednesday. The junior from Pittsburgh's Imani Christian Academy became the second 4-star linebacker to join Penn State's 2025 class this week. Last Sunday, Greater Latrobe's Alex Tatsch committed to the Nittany Lions.

Burnett, the eighth-ranked player in Pennsylvania according to the 247Sports Composite, chose Penn State from a final list that featured Pitt, West Virginia, Rutgers and Kentucky. Burnett also had offers from Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, among others. Burnett was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 2A all-state team and to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fabulous 22 last season.

Burnett (6-2, 220 pounds) continues Penn State's strong run through the 2025 western Pennsylvania recruiting class. The Nittany Lions have secured commitments from five western Pennsylvania players, so far half their class, and all rank among the state's top 20. On Signing Day in December, Penn State coach James Franklin refreshed his Pennsylvania recruiting pitch.

"I believe the best players in the region should come to Penn State," Franklin said. "I'm biased but I think we're the best option in terms of combination of school and football and being able to compete at the very highest level. We are the best option within the footprint, and that's no disrespect to any other program. But I believe that and I feel that way."

Penn State's 2025 recruiting class ranks sixth nationally, and second in the Big Ten, on the 247Sports Composite's early list.

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