Virginia wide reciever Ben Whitver set to return to State College next week

Penn State will welcome one of Virginia’s up-and-coming 2026 receivers to campus next Friday, July 26, in Powhatan native Ben Whitver . If that town sounds familiar, it’s because Whitver is currently a teammate of the future Nittany Lion tight end and 2025 prospect Matt Henderson . Henderson’s father, Mike, also happens to be Whitver’s head coach.

“I’ve heard really good things. They love it up there,” Whitver said when asked about his discussions with Henderson about the program. “They have said that all the coaches are very cool and sweet and that it just feels like home.”

Whitver picked up an offer from Penn State at the beginning of May, and he followed that up by camping with the staff on June 9. With a broad jump that reached 9.5 feet, plus a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the Baltimore Under Armour Camp, the rising junior is off to a strong start athletically and will only improve in the years ahead. That makes him one of the region’s more intriguing prospects.

Link: Penn State locks in upcoming visit with 2025 wide receiver

“The camp was the first time I had been up to PSU and I truly loved it,” Whitver said. “The facilities were amazing and all the coaches that I interacted with were super cool. Then, being able to work with Coach [Marques] Hagans during camp was amazing as well. I’m excited to see more of PSU in the coming weeks.”

So far, Penn State is the lone Power Four school to offer, but there will be plenty of top programs watching him closely this upcoming season. That should give the Nittany Lions a leg up down the road, as he said he’s already been casually communicating with members of PSU’s recruiting staff.

“At least once a week someone from the main staff or recruiting staff texts me,” Whitver said. “It’s mainly been the recruiting side of the staff that has been texting me the most and getting to know me better.”

Last season, Whitver totaled 64 receptions as a sophomore. He had 909 yards receiving, which averaged out to about 14.2 yards per catch, while also scoring eight touchdowns.

Whitver is one of four 2026 wide receivers who are expected to visit Penn State next weekend. Delaware’s Jahsiear Rogers earned an offer from the Lions last month following one of the staff’s 7-on-7 tournaments. The other two, Connor Salmin and Dyzier Carter , are also Virginia natives. Carter is the highest-ranked player in that group, coming in at No. 96 nationally by On3.

The post Virginia wide reciever Ben Whitver set to return to State College next week appeared first on On3 .