Future Penn State players Elijah Reeder and Josiah Zayas join Rivals300

Penn State came into the day with just one player ranked among the penultimate Rivals300. Now, the Nittany Lions will finish with two players in the final Rivals300 for the 2026 class. However, both names are completely new to the list.

While defensive end Jackson Ford remains a four-star prospect by Rivals, it’ll instead be another edge rusher, Elijah Reeder, who ends up being Penn State’s top-ranked commit in the class by Rivals, moving up from an 88-rated three-star player all the way to a 93-rated four-star. He’s now ranked No. 205 nationally and climbed 31 spots at his position to No. 24 at defensive end. Reeder also climbed four spots from eighth overall in New Jersey up to No. 4.

But he’s not the only future player from the Garden State that joined the Rivals300 on Tuesday, as Josiah Zayas moved up from an 87-rated three-star to a 92 overall four-star. Now ranked No. 245 nationally, Zayas climbed from the 106th cornerback to the sixth-ranked athlete nationall. He also made a big jump in the state, climbing from 14th overall in New Jersey to sixth.

A 6-foot-2, 190-pound early enrollee from Piscataway, N.J., Zayas is expected to start his collegiate career as a cornerback. However, there are some within the Lasch Building who believe he could also play wide receiver at the next level, making him one to watch over the next year. Zayas totaled 93 receptions for 1,784 yards and 26 touchdowns the past two seasons. He also had 67 tackles and nine interceptions over that same timeframe.

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As for Reeder, his rise is one of the more intriguing stories of the 2026 class. As of mid-November, the Bayville native looked destined to end up at Monmouth. However, Matt Campbell, along with his recruiting assistants, saw something they liked on his senior season film, bringing Reeder in for an official visit just two days before the early signing period. He then signed with the Cyclones on Dec. 3.

Of course, within a matter of days, that all changed as well once Campbell was named the new head coach at Penn State. Once Reeder was released from the Cyclones, he earned interest from Missouri and Rutgers, but only took an official visit to Penn State. He then committed to the Nittany Lions last week.

During his senior season, Reeder totaled 50 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

“He’s got a unique trait, size, 6’8 wingspan, a guy that’s got great size, great ability,” said Campbell when asked about Reeder during Iowa State’s signing day event on Dec. 3. “We brought him in this weekend when we got back from Oklahoma State. He’s got a great mom, great family, great skill set. It’s going to be really fun to see where he’s got the ability to go.”

In addition to Reeder and Zayas, Rivals also moved up cornerback Tyrell Chatman. Although he’s not inside the Rivals300, Chatman climbed from an 88-rated three-star prospect to a 90-rated four-star. Quarterback Peyton Falzone was previously a 90-rated four-star, but he’s now dropped to an 89 overall three-star, giving Penn State four four-star players, according to Rivals.