Is Georgia losing the interest of the nation’s No. 2 OT in the 2026 class? When it comes to offers, elite programs like UGA take the edge as an all-rounder excelling both in sports and academics. And yes, Immanuel Iheanacho was enamored with the Bulldogs, who are among his top school choices. But as the season progresses, Kirby Smart might have to deal with a Big Ten competitor who is rising as a favorite for the Maryland native. 

Josh Newberg and Chad Simmons caught up in a YouTube video on On3 Recruits on October 25 to discuss Immanuel Iheanacho’s potential interest. The No. 5 overall prospect of his class recently skipped a Tennessee visit to attend Maryland’s game against USC. But according to Simmons, his interest lies somewhere else. He said, “If there’s one school that I like their position early, that’s probably Penn State. He’s been there multiple times, plans to go back at some point this season… For him, academics will be a big factor.”

Immanuel Iheanacho rose to prominence after leading his high school team to an 8-2 record in 2023. The 6’7, 320-pounder is the No. 1 recruit in Maryland and is already weighing his choices early. He told Simmons earlier in August, “I will start taking official visits in the spring, then finish in the summer and I should be ready to commit before my senior year.”

Simmons mentioned that the Baltimore Georgetown Prep star is currently at a boarding school away from his family. This setting makes it hard for them to reunite on the same trip, which could explain his attendance at Maryland over Tennessee. But as a formidable prospect, the 5-star OT already has offers from about 30 schools, including the nation’s best Oregon, Alabama, and Georgia, among others. But Penn State might have an edge. 

Will Penn State win Immanuel Iheanacho’s commitment?

As Iheanacho’s interests in Georgia wanned, Penn State got into the picture. As far as academics are concerned, Penn State is among the top 30 best colleges. “Penn State probably set in the pace. They’ve had him on campus multiple times. He likes the staff. He feels good there,” said Simmons. On September 29, the coveted OT visited Penn State and the Nittany Lions impressed him with a dominant 21-7 win over Illinois. 

That isn’t the first time the HS standout visited the program. He also made an unofficial visit on April 13. As per On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Penn State leads the race with a 26.0% to win Iheanacho’s commitment. He said, “They are definitely one of my higher schools moving forward due to the coach’s mindset on how he wants to advance the program and how he wants his players to carry themselves after football ends.”

Penn State is looking strong on the recruiting trail. With a strong connection to the coaching staff and a promising 2026 class already ranked No. 3 in the nation, they’re a top contender for top recruits. Players like OL Kevin Brown and QB Troy Huhn are expected to be key additions to this talented group. And with the team’s impressive 7-0 record, it’s easy to see why so many recruits are drawn to Penn State. Will Iheanacho be a part of it?