Penn State locks in upcoming visit with 2025 wide receiver

Penn State will have much of its focus on 2026 prospects for its two-day Lasch Bash Barbecue next weekend, but a handful of intriguing prospects in the 2025 class are also planning to attend. After missing out on wide receivers Lex Cyrus and Taz Williams Jr. last week, receiver remains one of the staff’s key needs in this year’s class, which is why they’re steadily chipping away at rekindling relationships with players who have since committed elsewhere.

One of those players confirmed Tuesday that he’ll be in attendance next Saturday, July 27, as Baltimore native and USC commit Romero Ison confirmed with Blue White Illustrated that he plans to attend. Listed at just under 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Ison was one of the staff’s top targets at the position early in the cycle. However, an unofficial visit to USC in early April changed everything, as Ison went on to commit to the Trojans shortly after the visit.

A four-star prospect by On3, Ison doesn’t bring the kind of speed to the slot position that Cyrus has, but he did run the 100-meter in 10.85 seconds in June 2023. As a junior last season, he did a lot for Baltimore City College, catching 69 receptions for 1,438 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 46 times for 465 yards and two scores. He also scored three more times on special teams.

Link: Maryland defensive back set to attend Penn State’s Lasch Bash

Currently, Penn State has two wide receivers committed to its Class of 2025. At 6-foot-4, 170 pounds, New York native Lyrick Samuel brings a combination of size and speed that has the Nittany Lion coaching staff excited about his potential. Maryland’s Jeff Exinor, who stands at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, proved at the Baltimore Under Armour Camp in May that he’s incredibly explosive for his size. Add in his strength and that sets him up to be used in a variety of different ways.

But Penn State would also still like to add a true slot receiver, which is where Ison projects long term.

“Romero Ison is a smooth and fluid mover with excellent top-end speed in order to take the top off of the defense consistently,” said On3 Scout Cody Bellaire. “He’s a natural deep ball tracker who shows good body control and balance at the catch point. Ison possesses soft hands that can make plays over the middle of the field and is comfortable in contested catch scenarios. After the catch he is explosive and has the long speed to split safeties and hit the homerun ball.

“On the track during his sophomore year, he posted personal bests of 10.85 [seconds] in the 100-meter and 21.71 in the 200-meter. Both are tremendous as a sophomore prospect. Ison does have a leaner body type and appears to lack ideal length for an outside receiver, but his loose hips and ability to separate at all levels of the field make him a constant threat as a Z-type receiver for opposing defenses.”

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