Penn State came just 1 win shy of reaching the title game in 2024. In the process, the team ended with a 13-3 record and set a new program record for wins in a season.

Now, the team will try to continue building a talented roster to continue competing in the future. The 2026 recruiting class has already gotten off to a hot start and another talented prospect was added Saturday.

Julian Peterson, a talented defensive back out of New Jersey, announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions on social media.

The 247Sports Composite ranking rates Peterson as a 3-star prospect, the No. 32 cornerback, and the No. 8 player out of New Jersey for the 2026 class. Peterson stars for Winslow Township High School in Atco, NJ.

The talented prospect went on 2 unofficial visits to Happy Valley before committing and was back in town on Saturday for a 3rd visit. Peterson helped Winslow Township finish 14-0 overall and 5-0 in league play in 2024. The team finished the season as the No. 3 team in New Jersey.

Peterson is the 9th player to commit to the  Nittany Lions for 2026. The team currently boasts the No. 4 class in the country, a class which is headlined by 5 4-star prospects, including quarterback Troy Huhn. Peterson is the 2nd DB to commit for 2026, joining safety Matt Sieg.

Before deciding on Penn State, Peterson received offers from West Virginia, Boston College, East Carolina, and Georgia, among others. Penn State is the only school that Peterson visited multiple times during the recruitment process.