Penn State on Friday boasted the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class for the 2026 cycle after receiving a commitment from 3-star receiver Lavar Keys of Maryland. The Nittany Lions have six players committed to their 2026 recruiting class, which moved ahead of Auburn to No. 1 in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite. Enjoy it while it lasts, since team rankings can change hourly.
Keys plays at DeMatha Catholic, a school that Penn State has recruited successfully over the years. Current Nittany Lions Coziah Izzard and K.J. Winston played at DeMatha. In addition, Keys told 247Sports that he’s named after Penn State linebacker legend LaVar Arrington, who’s son LaVar Arrington II committed to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 class in July.
Keys (5-11, 170 pounds) is a 3-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 9 player in Maryland for the 2026 recruiting cycle. He committed to Penn State on a whirlwind schedule, visiting for the program’s Lasch Bash recruiting event in late July and announcing his decision less than a week later. Keys also had offers from Maryland, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Memphis, among others.