What you need to know about 2025 Philly football recruits heading to Penn State and Ohio State

It’s a surreal feeling knowing you’re headed to one of the best programs in college football, and on Saturday, five local recruits will watch their future teams go head-to-head as the No. 3. Penn State defeat No. 4 Ohio State in a highly anticipated game at Beaver Stadium.

“I’m excited to see Ohio State win,” the St. Louis defensive lineman said. Joseph’s Prep Maxwell Roy. “Should be a pretty fun game.”

His teammate Cameron Smith added, “I’m looking forward to seeing the Penn State defense stop the Ohio State offense a few times.”

Meanwhile, Imhotep Charter’s Jabree Wallace-Coleman said he’s not talking to teammate Zahir Mathis this week – “Maybe I’ll talk to him after Penn State wins on Saturday.”

The four, along with Hawks guard Isaiah West, are among the top players in Pennsylvania and have either committed to the 2025 recruiting classes of the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s class currently features 25 commitments and is ranked No. 2 by 247Sports — will bring hometown defender Tavien St. Clair, who is ranked second in the nation — while Penn State also has 25 commitments and is considered to have 15th ranked class.

The best part, Roy and Smith said, about seeing their college teams play this year is seeing the familiar faces they met on campus make an impact in the game.

“It’s kind of funny watching these programs after I’ve made enough visits that I’ve met some of these players and talked to them,” Roy said. “To now be like, ‘Hey, I remember talking to that kid and he gets a sack on third down.’ It’s very exciting to see how these teams have done so well throughout the season.”

Here’s what Penn State and Ohio State will get next year from local talent.

Penn State

Cameron Smith, linebacker

Smith spent his first two years playing for his hometown team, Salem High School, joining Prep as a junior.

Penn State entered the picture early. He was recruited by former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz, but in December 2023, Diaz left Happy Valley for the head position at Duke. So Smith, who is ranked No. 5 by 247Sportsoriginally committed to Duke in February.

“When Penn State came back after one of their committees flipped somewhere else, they came back and wanted me to come and check out the school again,” Smith said. “When the opportunity presented itself, I felt like I always wanted to be here, so I changed my commitment – now it’s my home and I’m excited to go up there.”

The All-American, who won two straight state titles with the Hawks, has totaled 45 tackles and five sacks so far this season. Once he joins Penn State, Smith will became the first Prep player since John Reid in 2015.

Jabree Wallace-Coleman, running back

Wallace-Coleman, a four-star running back, announced it commitment to the Nittany Lions in June. He decommitted from Georgia in December to reopen his recruitment.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Wallace-Coleman is having an excellent season with the Panthers, who were moved up to PIAA Class 6A this offseason. He averages 8.2 yards per carry and in six games has posted 695 yards on 85 carries. He also leads Imhotep in scoring with nine touchdowns.

“(Penn State) likes my versatility,” Wallace-Coleman said. “How I can be a pass blocker, run blocker and catch in the backfield. … When I get there, I’m looking forward to doing my part and contributing to the team as much as I can — hopefully winning a national championship.”

By the end of his junior year, Wallace-Coleman had more than 20 scholarship offers, which included Michigan State, Cincinnati, North Carolina and Rutgers. Next fall, he’ll reconnect with the former Panther cornerback Kenneth Woseley and wide receiver Tyseer Denmarkboth graduates of the class of 2024.

Ohio State

Zahir Mathis, edge

Mathis, the second highest ranked recruit in the areahe used football as an outlet to cope with the hardships he was enduring at home. In March 2020, Mathis mother died of stage 4 cancer. She introduced her son to the game and, after passing, gave Mathis, who was just 14, the “urge” to get stuck into football.

“Just being able to get on the field and have that dedication,” Mathis said, “it blocked my eyes from seeing a lot of the bigger sites.”

The first school to offer Mathis was Penn State, but eventually the four-star tight end announced his commitment Ohio State in January. He said the Buckeyes were always a top pick. He saw players like the Bosa brothers, in Nick and Joey, come through the program and rise to the professional level.

Mathis has similar aspirations and believes Buckeyes defensive backs coach Larry Johnson will help him get there.

“I’m looking for greatness,” said Mathis, who recorded two sacks and 23 total tackles in eight games. “I want to be the best of the best. At that program, they got some of the best guys, and being able to be around the best, you’re going to be able to be coached by the best.”

Maxwell Roy, Defensive Referee

Roy is a dual-sport athlete who is an All-American in football and wrestling. The Delran native decided Ohio State in August over other top-tier programs including Michigan, Penn State, Georgia and Oregon.

“I’ve always been an Ohio State fan – It was my dream school,” Roy said. “I remember the exact day they offered it to me, Coach (Larry) Johnson came down to our weight room to watch us work out. I remember recording myself doing squats – right after I got the offer. … Even before I got hired, I wanted to be trained by him. I would ask him questions all the time about the D-line, technique, what they’re doing with Ohio State, how we could translate that at this level.”

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman that is ranked 6th at state, tore his ACL during last year’s wrestling season and was sidelined this year but could return for the postseason. He said it was a “scary conversation” to tell college coaches, especially Ohio State, the news, but the Buckeyes’ staff assured the four-star that his scholarship offer remains.

“It’s just a hurdle that’s only going to make me better,” he added.

Isaiah West, running back

West committed to Kentucky in March before reopening his recruitment in May. He then decided in June that Buckeye made a suitable landing spot.

The 6-foot, 215-pound rusher is one of two running backs in the Class of 2025. He has been a big contributor to the Hawks’ offense this season, totaling eight touchdowns. In five games played, he recorded 389 yards on 55 carries.

He will join an offense that has seen Prep alumni in quarterback Kyle McCord (transferred to Syracuse) and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) come through the program. He will look to be the next big name in Columbus.