On Friday, four-star linebacker Terry Wiggins committed to Penn State as the 14th member of the Nittany Lions’ loaded 2026 recruiting class. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Coatsville Area product is the ninth-ranked player in Pennsylvania in 2026 according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.
The last time James Franklin brought in a recruiting class that ranked top 10 in the country was 2022, and with most of those players now seniors entering their final season of eligibility with national championship aspirations, it’s time for Franklin and his coaching staff to reload with young talent. The addition of Wiggins helps the process along on the defensive side of the ball and puts the Nittany Lions at No. 5 in the national recruiting rankings, one spot ahead of Ohio State.
4-star linebacker Terry Wiggins announces commitment to Nittany Lions
A stand-up outside linebacker in Coatesville’s traditional 3-4 defensive scheme, Wiggins has high-level burst off the edge as a pass-rusher. At 210 pounds, Wiggins relies heavily on his speed to get to the quarterback, but he’s also comfortable in coverage, has sideline-to-sideline ability as an off-ball backer, and an absolute knack for dislodging the football as a tackler.
Wiggins profiles as a do-everything linebacker at the next level, but if he can add significant weight to his frame while maintaining his quick first-step, his future will be primarily on the edge. While he may not quite be this caliber of player, he could follow the Micah Parsons/Abdul Carter plan, starting his career as an athletic off-ball backer before eventually finding a home as a disruptor on the line of scrimmage.
It’s still early in the process, but Wiggins is a huge addition, and Penn State needs to keep this class in the top 10 nationally. Franklin has gone all-in on 2026, filling holes with veterans in the transfer portal like Trebor Pena at wide receiver, but there always needs to be an eye to the future and the cupboard could be pretty bare once Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Dani Dennis-Sutton and others all move onto the NFL.
That recruiting push for an elite 2026 class has started in PA for Franklin. Last year was a down year for in-state recruiting, with only five of the top 10 players in PA heading to Happy Valley. This cycle, however, Franklin has already earned commitments from five of the top 10, with three still uncommitted.
He likely won’t ever join St1x C1ty. LaVar Arrington II has the No. 11 jersey accounted for, but Wiggins has the talent to leave a legacy at Linebacker U, as a part of Franklin’s next elite recruiting class to carry the program forward after the 2022 group moves on.