Tiqwai Hayes has settled on his college football. The blue-chip running back from Pennsylvania is staying in-state to play Big Ten football.

Hayes announced his verbal pledge to James Franklin’s program in a Monday ceremony. He chose the Nittany Lions over nearby Pittsburgh and others.

An Aliquippa standout, Hayes is listed as measuring 5-10, 185 pounds. On the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Hayes is rated 4-stars, the No. 11 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania, No. 32 running back and No. 341 prospect overall in the Class of 2025.

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Hayes has picked up scholarship offers from 13 programs. He named a final 8 of Penn State, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan State, Cincinnati and West Virginia.

For PSU, it’s the second commitment landed from a visitor of Saturday’s White Out win over Iowa. DJ McClary, a 4-star linebacker from New Jersey, pledged to Penn State on Sunday.

The Nittany Lions are up 4 commitments for 2025 with the two new pledges. Nittany Lions fans can get a preview of what he brings to Happy Valley by checking out his highlights below, via Hudl: