Penn State picks up commitment from Top 10 in-state recruit

Penn State added to its class of 2027 recruiting class on Sunday with the verbal commitment from four-star cornerback Gabe Jenkins. Jenkins is a versatile defender, Top 10 prospect that the Nittany Lions keep in Pennsylvania.

“I committed because I love Penn State,” Jenkins said (h/t On3). “They’ve been one of my top schools since I was young, and now both of my teammates are committed there. Who wouldn’t want to keep playing with them?”

Jenkins is a junior at Imani Christian Academy, and joins his teammates Dayshaun Burnett (class of 2025) and David Davis (class of 2026) to become the third recent Imani Christian player to commit to Penn State.

The Pennsylvania native had 22 offers, including fellow Big Ten schools in Indiana, Nebraska, Michigan State and Maryland as well as the SEC’s Kentucky.

Jenkins was recruited by Penn State as a defensive back, and figures to play as a safety when he enrolls. However, the 6-foot-1, 187 pound defender has the versatility to grow into a linebacker and potentially more.

“I’m getting recruited at safety, but they also told me that they love my running back film,” Jenkins said (h/t On3).

Jenkins plays both sides of the ball at Imani Christian, getting reps at running back and even receiver. The four-star recruit is a Top 100 player nationally and Top 10 at the cornerback position, according to 247 Sports, but his versatility could be used in multiple ways with the Nittany Lions.

Penn State’s 2027 class, per 247Sports composite rankings:

Five ⭐️ Kemon Spell: No. 9 NATL, No. 1 RB

Five ⭐️ Layton Von Brandt: No. 28 NATL, No. 5 OT

Four ⭐️ Khalil Taylor: No. 53 NATL, No. 10 WR

Four ⭐️ Gabe Jenkins: No. 191 NATL, No. 19 CB

James Franklin, James Franklin. pic.twitter.com/2ANXSpdvAy

— Avery Hill (@official_aveee) August 18, 2025

Jenkins becomes the fourth commit to Penn State’s 2027 recruiting class, and the first defensive back. One of the main reasons for his commitment was the relationship and trust he built with the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff.

“I love Coach Terry. He’s a good person and one of the top defensive back coaches in the country, in my opinion,” Jenkins said (h/t On3). “He’s always kept it real with me. Coach Franklin is a good head coach, too. I’ve always really liked their staff.”