ICYMI: Penn State Lands Elite Linebacker Elijah Littlejohn in Recruiting Coup Over Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State
In a major recruiting victory that underscores Penn State’s growing influence on the national stage, the Nittany Lions secured a commitment from four-star linebacker Elijah Littlejohn on Tuesday. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Littlejohn is considered one of the most instinctive and athletic defensive prospects in the 2025 class. His decision to join James Franklin’s squad comes after receiving more than two dozen offers, including from SEC powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, as well as Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan.
At 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, Littlejohn is the prototype of the modern linebacker—rangy, explosive, and relentless. He starred at West Mecklenburg High School, where he recorded 121 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 2 interceptions during his junior season. Coaches around the country raved about his versatility, noting that he could drop into coverage as smoothly as he could blitz off the edge.
“Penn State just got a game-changer,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “Littlejohn has that rare blend of physicality and football IQ. He’s a three-down linebacker who fits perfectly in today’s aggressive, hybrid-style defenses.”
The commitment is not just a win for Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class—it’s a statement. With Littlejohn, the Nittany Lions are now up to six four-star commitments, solidifying their position in the top 10 of the national team rankings. His decision also signals a growing trend of southern talent heading north to Happy Valley, a testament to Franklin’s recruiting consistency and the defensive prowess of coordinator Manny Diaz.
Littlejohn cited Penn State’s player development, academic support, and linebacker tradition as major factors in his commitment. “When I visited Penn State, it just felt different,” he said during a televised announcement on CBS Sports HQ. “The energy, the coaching staff, the culture—it felt like home. And you can’t ignore the history they have with linebackers. I want to be the next one to wear that tradition with pride.”
Known colloquially as “Linebacker U,” Penn State has produced some of the greatest linebackers in football history, including Jack Ham, Shane Conlan, LaVar Arrington, and more recently Micah Parsons. Elijah Littlejohn now has the opportunity to add his name to that legendary lineage.
In a social media post shortly after his commitment, Littlejohn wrote: “All in. 110%. Let’s build something legendary in Happy Valley. #WeAre”
Penn State fans responded in kind, flooding his Twitter and Instagram with welcome messages, hype videos, and excited gifs. The commitment comes at a pivotal time as the Nittany Lions continue to load up for what could be a breakout campaign in the new Big Ten structure that now includes USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
If Elijah Littlejohn’s trajectory continues upward—and all signs suggest it will—Penn State’s defense just got a lot scarier for the years to come.
