Penn State had a busy weekend in Happy Valley, welcoming their first official visit in the 2025 class and hosting the Elite 11 regionals for top quarterbacks. Despite initial plans to start official visits later in May, the Nittany Lions scheduled a visit specifically for highly-ranked edge rusher Iose Epenesa.
Epenesa, ranked as the 34th-best player in the country and third at his position according to On3’s Industry Rankings, is a coveted recruit with impressive credentials. Initially seen as a longshot for Penn State, there is optimism that the Nittany Lions have made a strong impression on him after his visit to Happy Valley. Epenesa described his experience as “great” and “a pleasant surprise,” highlighting the family atmosphere and program’s strong foundation.
While predictions favor Iowa, where his older brother A.J. played, Epenesa’s family also had positive feedback from their visit to Penn State. They noted the impressive facilities, coaching staff, strength coach, and academic opportunities. The competition for Epenesa remains strong, but Penn State is hopeful that they have positioned themselves well in his recruitment journey. As Epenesa considers his options and moves towards a commitment decision, it will be interesting to see how the Nittany Lions factor into his final choice.
