Pennsylvania high school football will head into the 2026 season with an impressive senior class leading the way. All-America talent is at the forefront of the list, top-tier recruits on both sides of the ball who will look to impact the state’s football hierarchy while also creating buzz in the national rankings.<\/p>\n
That distinction is a big reason why the best college programs have made Pennsylvania a prime spot on the recruiting trail.<\/p>\n
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With that in mind, here’s a look at the top 10 players from the Keystone State in the 2027 class.<\/p>\n
1. Kemon Spell, McKeesport<\/p>\n
Position: Running Back<\/p>\n
Height: 5-9<\/p>\n
Weight: 205<\/p>\n
Commitment: Georgia<\/p>\n
Football recruiting notes: A former Penn State pledge, Spell decommitted from the Nittany Lions<\/a> after James Franklin was fired and committed to Georgia on February 2<\/a>. Spell was the USA TODAY Sports ALL-USA East Football Team offensive MVP<\/a> last season, rushing for 1,755 yards and 32 touchdowns in nine games.<\/p>\n 2. Maxwell Hiller, Coatesville Area<\/p>\n Position: Interior Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n Height: 6-5<\/p>\n Weight: 300<\/p>\n Commitment: Florida<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Arguably the best lineman in the country, Hiller recently committed to Florida over Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. Many consider Hiller as the best lineman prospect in the last few years and see him as a future certified NFL Draft pick.<\/p>\n 3. Abraham Sesay, Downingtown East (Exton)<\/p>\n Position: EDGE<\/p>\n Height: 6-5<\/p>\n Weight: 215<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Sesay’s a multi-sport athlete who excels in football, basketball and track. Last season, he totaled 13 sacks, and Notre Dame is currently the leader in his recruitment.<\/p>\n 4. Khalil Taylor, Pine-Richland (Gibsonia)<\/p>\n Position: Wide Receiver<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Height: 5-11<\/p>\n Weight: 180<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Taylor decommitted from Penn State after James Franklin’s firing, but the Nittany Lions are in a great spot to land him again. They’ll have some competition, though, as his summer includes official visits to Colorado (May 15), Georgia (May 29), Penn State (June 5), Nebraska (June 12), and Syracuse (June 19).<\/p>\n 5. Matthew Gregory, Owen J Roberts (Pottstown)<\/p>\n Position: Wide Receiver<\/p>\n Height: 6-1<\/p>\n Weight: 170<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Penn State has hosted Gregory more than any other school, but other programs have taken notice and recently gotten involved in his recruitment. Auburn is one to keep an eye on following a recent visit.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 6. James Halter, Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)<\/p>\n Position: Offensive Tackle<\/p>\n Height: 6-5.5<\/p>\n Weight: 270<\/p>\n Commitment: Notre Dame<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Notre Dame has recruited offensive linemen well out of Pennsylvania in recent years, with Halter as their latest pledge. He committed to the Fighting Irish last October and has taken several visits since.<\/p>\n 7. Terrance Smith, Lansdale Catholic<\/p>\n Position: Interior Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n Height: 6-6<\/p>\n Weight: 260<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Rutgers was in a good spot for Smith for some time, but now SEC programs appear to be the frontrunners in his recruitment. He has official visits scheduled to LSU (April 17), Florida (May 28), Auburn (June 5) and Tennessee (June 12).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 8. Jimmy Kalis, Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)<\/p>\n Position: Offensive Tackle<\/p>\n Height: 6-6<\/p>\n Weight: 280<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Kalis likely has a busy summer ahead as he recently named Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Texas as his top six schools. Currently, he has official visits scheduled to Georgia (May 29) and Texas (June 5).<\/p>\n 9. Brandon Lockley Jr., St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia)<\/p>\n Position: Linebacker<\/p>\n Height: 6-2<\/p>\n Weight: 216<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Lockley’s recruitment has exploded recently, and his list of official visits shows just how interested the big programs are in him. This summer, he’s slated to go to Alabama (May 29), Duke (June 5), Nebraska (June 12), and Oregon (June 19).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 10. Gabe Jenkins, Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh)<\/p>\n Position: Safety<\/p>\n Height: 6-2<\/p>\n Weight: 187<\/p>\n Commitment: Uncommitted<\/p>\n Football recruiting notes: Jenkins decommitted from the Nittany Lions last October but appears to be back in his good graces. New Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell offered him again in December and he’ll be back on campus June 5 for an official visit.<\/p>\n