Top TE commit for Penn State

Penn State added one of its top 2027 offensive targets Monday when tight end Cooper Terwilliger committed to the Nittany Lions. (247sports.com) Terwilliger plays at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, South Dakota, and 247Sports lists him at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. The 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 258 nationally, No. 12 among tight ends and No. 1 in South Dakota. (247sports.com) 247Sports ranks Terwilliger a 90-grade prospect and No. 240 nationally, while On3 called him a consensus four-star recruit. Penn State beat out Notre Dame for the pledge after Terwilliger made an unofficial visit to State College on April 4 and has an official visit scheduled for June 5. (247sports.com, 247sports.com, on3.com) The recruitment followed Penn State assistant Taylor Mouser from Iowa State to State College. On3 reported that Mouser offered Terwilliger in April 2024 while he was at Iowa State, and Terwilliger said the relationship had been building for nearly three years. (on3.com) That matters for Penn State because the program is rebuilding its 2027 class under coach Matt Campbell after coaching turnover reset the board. Sports Illustrated reported that all four earlier 2027 pledges decommitted after James Franklin was fired in October 2025, and Penn State has now collected seven new commitments since spring practice began in late March. (si.com) Terwilliger gives Campbell a high-end pass catcher at a position Penn State recruits heavily. On3 reported that incoming transfers Gabe Burkle and Benjamin Brahmer are out of eligibility after this season, while Andrew Rappleyea and Finn Furmanek are entering their redshirt junior years. (on3.com) His production is already substantial for a junior prospect. Terwilliger caught 38 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, and 247Sports credits him with 98 catches, 1,372 yards and 12 touchdowns across three varsity seasons. (247sports.com, 247sports.com) Penn State’s 2027 class rose to No. 18 in the 247Sports Composite after the commitment, according to Sports Illustrated. Terwilliger joins a group that 247Sports says now includes eight players, with wide receiver Landon Blum and defensive lineman Carter Blattner among the other early pledges. (si.com, 247sports.com) Terwilliger’s public message after the decision was short and direct: “Committed!! Let’s Work!! #nittanynation.” Penn State still has his June 5 official visit on the calendar, but the staff already has the tight end it pushed hardest to land. (si.com, 247sports.com)