Penn State’s Prize Recruit to Face Off Against Hometown Heroes Ohio State in Future Battles!
**Columbus, OH –** In a move that sent
shockwaves through the college football
recruiting world, Ohio’s top tight end
prospect, **Brian Kortovich**, has
officially committed to **Penn State**.
The decision stunned many, as the highly
touted recruit was heavily linked to
**Ohio State**, Michigan, and Notre
Dame. Instead, Kortovich is taking his
talents to Happy Valley, solidifying the
Nittany Lions’ future offense under head
coach **James Franklin**.
A Recruitment Battle for the Ages.
Kortovich, a **6-foot-5, 240-pound** tight
end from **St. Ignatius High School in
Cleveland**, has been one of the most
sought-after recruits in the **2025
class**. Ranked as a **four-star recruit**
and the No. **3 tight end in the nation**,
Kortovich received more than **20
Division I offers**, including from
powerhouses like **Alabama, Georgia,
and USC**. However, most experts
believed his decision would come down
to **Ohio State and Notre Dame**, given
their history of developing elite tight
ends.
Yet, after months of speculation,
Kortovich pulled a **recruiting
stunner**, choosing **Penn State** over
the in-state Buckeyes and national
contenders.
Why Penn State?
Kortovich explained his decision in a heartfelt statement:
“Penn State felt like home from the
moment I stepped on campus. The
coaching staff, the culture, and the way
they develop tight ends really stood out
to me. I love the tradition at Ohio State,
but I wanted to go somewhere that felt
right for me personally. Coach Franklin
and his staff made it clear that I would
play a big role in their offense, and I
couldn’t turn that down.”
Penn State’s ability to develop tight ends
into **NFL-caliber** players played a
crucial role in Kortovich’s decision. The
Nittany Lions have produced top-tier
tight ends like **Pat Freiermuth
(Pittsburgh Steelers)** and **Mike
Gesicki (Cincinnati Bengals)** in recent
years, showing a strong track record at
the position.
Additionally, Penn State’s **offensive
coordinator, Andy Kotelnicki**, has a
reputation for utilizing tight ends in
dynamic ways. The prospect of being a
**primary weapon** in the offense likely
tipped the scales in Penn State’s favor.
Ohio State Fans React to the Shocking Decision.
The loss of Kortovich is a **gut punch**
for Ohio State, as the Buckeyes rarely
lose top in-state talent—especially to
another Big Ten school. Head coach
**Ryan Day** and his staff pushed hard
to keep Kortovich in Columbus, but their
efforts ultimately fell short.
Buckeye fans took to social media to
express their **disappointment and
frustration**, with some calling it “one of
the biggest recruiting losses in recent
years.” Many pointed to Ohio State’s
**loaded tight end room** as a possible
reason for Kortovich’s decision, as he
may have been concerned about playing
time early in his career.
Still, recruiting experts warn against
**underestimating Penn State’s rising
appeal**. With back-to-back **top-10
recruiting classes**, the Nittany Lions are
positioning themselves as legitimate
contenders for the **College Football
Playoff**.
What’s Next for Kortovich?
With his college decision locked in,
Kortovich can now focus on his **senior
season** at St. Ignatius, where he’s
expected to be one of the most dominant
players in **Ohio high school football**.
Penn State fans, meanwhile, are already
**dreaming of the future**, envisioning
Kortovich as the next elite tight end to
wear the blue and white.
The Buckeyes will undoubtedly look to
**recruit other top tight end prospects**,
but losing a **homegrown star** like
Kortovich to a Big Ten rival will **sting
for years to come**.
One thing is certain: when Penn State
and Ohio State clash in the coming years,
**all eyes will be on Brian Kortovich.
