Four-star edge rusher Jayden Woods commits to James Franklin's Penn State

Four-star edge rusher Jayden Woods from Mill Valley High School (Kan.) announced his commitment to the Penn State Nittany Lions' 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday. He is now the second-highest-rated prospect in the class, trailing only cornerback Daryus Dixson.

Woods' journey to Penn State began with an offer from the Nittany Lions back in December 2023. They actively pursued him throughout the winter, and following an official visit on June 7, he concluded his recruitment process by choosing to play under James Franklin.

This commitment makes Woods the third edge rusher to pledge to Penn State, joining Texas' Max Granville and Maryland's Cortez Harris. He adds to a growing roster of talent in Penn State's 2025 recruiting class, which now boasts 19 commitments, including 10 four-star recruits. Eight of these commitments have been secured in the past 10 days alone.

Penn State's 2025 recruiting class currently ranks sixth overall nationally and second within the Big Ten, according to 247Sports. The class features notable talents such as defensive backs Jahmir Joseph and Braswell Thomas, along with running back Jabree Wallace-Coleman. Attention now shifts to securing the remaining targets, including Kade Pietrzak, Byron Louis and Hardy Watts.

James Franklin earns a familiar face in Jayden Woods' pledge

Jayden Woods chose Penn State over Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, LSU, Kansas State and Oregon, among others. While this commitment is a significant boost for the program's recruiting class, it also holds a deeper significance for head coach James Franklin.

Woods’ father, Justin Woods, was a 2007 running back recruit who played one season under Franklin when he served as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State under Bill Snyder. Franklin played a key role in recruiting Justin Woods to Kansas State before departing for Maryland’s staff in 2008. This long-standing connection has now come full circle, aiding Penn State in securing Jayden Woods.

Following his visit to Penn State on March 12, Jayden expressed his enthusiasm about the program and his connection with Franklin.

“I could really see myself playing for them," Woods told On3. "Talking with Coach [James] Franklin was great too. He actually recruited my dad and was with him at K-State back in the day."

Woods is ranked as the No. 201 overall prospect, the No. 23 edge rusher and the No. 5 recruit from Kansas in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. 247 Sports places him even higher, ranking him as the No. 167 overall prospect, the No. 18 edge rusher and the No. 5 recruit in Kansas.

Jayden Woods earned first-team all-state honors last season, shining as a hero in securing Mill Valley High School's fifth consecutive Class 5A state title.