Penn State bolsters defense with pair of 4-star recruits

UPDATE: Ta'Mere Robinson did indeed commit to Penn State on Friday, as expected, wrapping up the Nittany Lions' outstanding week of recruiting. Be sure to catch our We Are podcast Sunday morning, as Jarrod Prugar and I discuss the three 4-star prospects who committed, update where the Lions rank nationally in recruiting and take a close look at James Franklin's success in recruiting compared to struggles on the field in recent years.

Franklin tweeted this Friday night, at the end of a week that saw the Lions pick up three 4-star recruits:

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State picked up a big commitment Thursday from 4-star linebacker Tony Rojas, one of the best prospects at his position in the country and another outstanding defensive player in the current recruiting class.

And there could be even more good news Friday. More on that later.

Rojas was the top linebacker target for James Franklin and his staff in recruiting, and he's the first linebacker to commit to the Nittany Lions for the class of 2023.

Rojas is a 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Fairfax High School in Virginia. He's rated as the No. 3 prospect in Virginia by 247Sports and the No. 8 linebacker in the country, as well as the No. 107 overall recruit.

Rojas also had an offer from Pitt, as well as Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, West Virginia and many others. According to On3, he visited Penn State twice last season for games, including the whiteout against Auburn, and also made two visits to Penn State. His official visit was June 17.

While on his Penn State visit, Rojas also spent time with Penn State target Ta'Mere Robinson, a 4-star edge rusher from Brashear High School in Pittsburgh. Robinson will make his college decision Friday, and Penn State is one of three finalists, along with Miami and Virginia Tech.

It would be another huge get for the Lions if they can land Robinson, which Rojas eluded to here (Rojas is on the left and Robinson on the right, along with defensive coordinator Manny Diaz):

Penn State's outstanding 2023 recruiting class ranks No. 5 in the nation, with a total of 18 commits.

Of the Lions' dozen 4-star commits, seven are on the defensive side of the ball. Four of those are at the safety position, and Penn State has landed three of the top 25 safeties in the country.

Here's a look at the top defensive commits thus far:

* 4-star DL Tommarion Parker (6-4, 250)
* 4-star LB Tony Rojas (6-2, 200)
* 4-star edge Ta'Mere Robinson (6-4, 225)
* 4-star S Elliot Washington (5-11, 195)
* 4-star S King Mack (5-11, 180)
* 4-star S Dakaari Nelson (6-3, 203)
* 4-star edge Jameial Lyons (6-4, 255)
* 4-star S Conrady Hussey (6-0, 190)