Penn State football just landed a player who could end up being a legit steal in the 2027 recruiting class
The Penn State Nittany Lions are finding some good, hidden talent in their 2027 recruiting class.
The Penn State Nittany Lions added another piece to their 2027 recruiting class with the commitment of cornerback Dhillon McGee, a 6’2, 175-pound defensive back from Red Oak High School in DeSoto, Texas.
McGee, a three-star prospect with an 88.67 composite rating on Rivals’ industry rankings, chose Penn State over SMU and Texas after a recruitment that also included Oklahoma and Baylor at various points.
McGee ranks as a top-450 player nationally, the No. 46 cornerback in the country, and the No. 54 player in the state of Texas, according to Rivals.
McGee’s recruitment favored Penn State despite fewer visits
What stands out about this commitment is how Penn State closed the deal. McGee visited SMU and Texas, the two programs that finished second and third in his recruitment, four times each. He visited Penn State only three times. That tells you the Nittany Lions made a significant impression in a shorter window, and whatever they showed McGee on those trips resonated more than the familiarity he built elsewhere.
On his commitment announcement, McGee said, “Pray for me going into this next chapter of my life. #WeAre.”
McGee also considered Oklahoma and Baylor at one point during the process, but neither program made the final cut when it came time to decide.
What McGee brings to Penn State’s defense
McGee has the physical tools Penn State wants in its defensive backfield. His length and height at 6’2 give him a natural advantage in coverage, particularly against bigger receivers at the next level. He’s the type of cornerback who can disrupt passing lanes and contest catches at the catch point.
That said, he will need to add weight to his 175-pound frame before he’s ready to compete physically in the Big Ten. At his size, bulking up without losing the speed and fluidity that make him effective in coverage will be the key developmental challenge once he arrives on campus.
McGee has the look of a player who could surprise people. He seems like a sleeper pick to stand out during the offseason when the freshmen arrive, the kind of prospect whose tools translate well once he gets into a college strength and conditioning program and starts working within a scheme that can maximize his length.
Penn State continues to build a defensive back class with size and upside, and McGee fits that mold. The Nittany Lions clearly sold him on their vision, and they did it efficiently, needing fewer visits than the competition to lock in his commitment.