Penn State’s interest in flipping elite defensive playmaker prospect is clear
The old adage that “time will tell” is undefeated in the world of football recruiting. The Penn State Nittany Lions were considered a major player in the chase for four-star defensive back AJ Marks in the spring of 2024, with the playmaker going as far as to say he was getting more love from James […]
The old adage that “time will tell” is undefeated in the world of football recruiting. The Penn State Nittany Lions were considered a major player in the chase for four-star defensive back AJ Marks in the spring of 2024, with the playmaker going as far as to say he was getting more love from James Franklin than any other program.
“A few things I liked about my visit to Penn State was the feeling that I had while I was there. It just felt like a good spot for me to be at,” Marks said last year. “The relationship that we are building with Coach [James] Franklin, Coach [Terry] Smith and Coach [Anthony] Poindexter is strong. Also, I’m noticing how many football players from my area are succeeding or have already succeeded at Penn State.”
That said, we have the latest from industry insiders and experts on where the Nittany Lions sit in the chase and what to expect next.
Penn State falling behind in chase for AJ Marks?
As of now, Marks is committed to Wake Forest and seemingly is not considering Penn State in the same way. Whether that’s due to Jim Knowles now being the defensive coordinator, Penn State focusing on other cornerbacks, or a change in what Marks is interested in, we don’t know yet. It’s also possible this race will see more changes before National Signing Day.
A recent report from On3 revealed the following:
“Through the first five games, Marks has tallied 12 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three QB hurries. The six-foot, 170-pounder has also scored on an interception return for a touchdown and an 80-yard kick return for a score…The Wake Forest commit is hearing from plenty of major programs, including Oklahoma State, Penn State, Tennessee, and UNC.”
Although they mentioned Penn State, Marks hasn’t mentioned the Nittany Lions anywhere since the spring of 2024. It seems quite clear there’s been a change, and the fact Franklin has inked four cornerbacks might explain it best. The Nittany Lions are no longer needing bodies in their 2026 class, even if Marks would rank as the highest prospect of the group.
As of now, David Davis is the top man with a lone four-star rank, but he’s a fringe three-star option.
We’ll continue to track it closely and report on the latest developments.
