Already boasting one of the nation’s best recruiting classes, Penn State got stronger in the 2026 cycle with a top in-state prospect.
Coatesville linebacker Terry Wiggins committed to the Nittany Lions on Friday afternoon. He’s a four-star, the No. 9 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 26 linebacker, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Wiggins became the 14th commit in a group that ranked No. 7 nationally heading into Friday. He’s the first linebacker.
At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Wiggins has been a highly productive defender and continues to get better over his high school years. He only began receiving offers during this past season.
“I was always tall, but I didn’t know if I was going to be strong enough or tough enough to keep up with everybody at the next level,” Wiggins told PennLive in March. “I used that as motivation. I knew that this junior year was going to be my biggest and best year. I had to be locked in.”
Wiggins previously announced a top 10 of Penn State, Syracuse, Missouri, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Wake Forest and Rutgers. He originally planned to commit later this summer, but Penn State clearly made a pitch too difficult to turn away.
He made three visits to Happy Valley and has an official visit planned for June.
“He’s probably the tallest, most athletic kid I’ve had over the years,” said Matt Ortega, who was hired as Coatesville’s head coach back in 2009. “Being 6-foot-3 and being able to run like that with elite instincts, that’s what you see on film. He’s blocking field goals, making an interception, making a sack. He does everything. That’s what makes him a special player.”
Penn State has certainly executed James Franklin’s goal of dominating the state so far this year, holding pledges from five of the top 11 prospects in the state.