New Penn State DC Tom Allen makes big splash on recruiting trail

One thing is always consistent about Penn State—they produce NFL talent on defense. Whether it's Micah Parsons, Yetur Gross-Matos, or Chop Robinson, the Nittany Lions consistently churn out first-round draft picks.

That may be the reason for their most recent addition to the 2025 recruiting class. Penn State flipped former Duke commit and four-star recruit Cam Smith on Thursday afternoon. According to On3.com, the Nittany Lions currently have the 16th-best class and rank fourth in the Big Ten.

Smith, who attended St. Joseph's Prep School in Salem, NJ, comes in at 6 feet tall and 205 pounds. He joins a class with three other linebackers and is the school's 12th four-star prospect in the 2025 class.

Penn State's current linebacker room is filled with experience. Tyrece Mills and Tyler Elsdon are the only seniors in all three linebacker groups, so it will certainly be challenging for Smith and the other freshmen to earn minutes right away.

Nevertheless, this move helps bolster a class that will give the Nittany Lions depth at the position for years to come.

This is a great get for first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Allen, who served seven years as Indiana's head coach, was hired as defensive coordinator in late December and is slowly assembling a very strong class, including multiple four-stars on the defensive end.

Penn State opens the 2024 season in Morgantown against West Virginia. The Mountaineers pose a significant offensive threat with running back tandem Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson, so Allen's task as DC at Penn State will be no pushover.