Joe Smeltzer

Pittsburgh

Writer at Observer-Reporter

Beat Writer at Nittany Sports

Cover Penn State athletics for @NittanySN, writer for @sportsOR, co-host of @COMONNetwork. Short guy.

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Articles

Recruiting: How Penn State Has Built a Top 4 Class

2 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

Penn State just keeps on stacking in its 2026 recruiting class. Less than 48 hours after Alexander Haskell (Philadelphia) announced his commitment, Davion Brown did the same. So Penn State has added an in-state DL (Haskell) and blue-chip WR (Brown) to the fold. Overall, not a bad stretch, and it’s been a solid Class for Coach James Franklin and company thus far. With 17 commits now in the picture, Penn State has the No. 4 Class in the country per 247Sports.
Another One: ‘Fatrat’ Commits to Penn State

2 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

Penn State football added to its Class of 2026 with a blue-chip receiver known as “Fatrat.”‘Fatrat’ — real name Davion Brown— announced his commitment to Penn State Monday evening. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder from The Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia is a four-star and the No. 18 receiver in the country per 247Sports. 247 also has him as the No. 6 player in Virginia and the 143rd-ranked overall prospect.
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Member Arrested During Sting

3 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

One of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s most prominent members, Kyle Snyder, has been arrested as part of a prostitution sting, per 20 WBNS. This arrest took place May 9 and Snyder was reportedly one of 16 men involved in the operation. Although Snyder wrestled at Ohio State— where he won three national titles and finished runner-up the one year he didn’t win— Snyder currently trains with NLWC.
Rankings: Penn State No. 1… Again

3 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Penn State head coach James Franklin interacts with his team after the victory during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal playoff game against the Boise State Broncos on Tuesday December 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Nick Tre.
Penn State Wrestling

5 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Carter Starocci The Penn State wrestling lineup for the World Team Trials is coming into motion.
Commitment: Penn State Adds Another PA Prospect

5 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

Penn State football is making good on James Franklin’s goal to “Dominate the State.”On Friday night, the team got a commitment from Alexander Haskell, a three-star DL from Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s Prep. He announced the decision in a ceremony broadcast on Instagram live. Penn State has been interested in Haskell for a while, offering him in June 2023. After that, he visited Penn State five times, so this decision shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Penn State Transfer Portal: Target Commits Elsewhere

6 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

A player Penn State wanted out of the transfer portal has committed elsewhere. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Friday afternoon that Mohamed Toure, an All-Big Ten performer at Rutgers, has committed to Miami. For a bit, it looked like Toure might be coming to Penn State. The team needed a linebacker out of the transfer portal, and even with PSU adding a good one in UNC’s Amare Campbell, it would have been realistic to picture Toure coming on board.
Penn State Recruiting: Anthony Poindexter Visits 4-Star DB

6 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

In recruiting news, Penn State safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter visited a four-star safety prospect. Poindexter, a University of Virginia legend who grew up in Lynchburg, visited Jaziel Hart, a Class of 2026 star from the North Cross school in Roanoke, which is roughly an hour away. Hart has been on Penn State’s radar for a while. The school offered him last June, and since then, he’s visited the school twice. His most recent visit took place Nov.
Former Penn State Wrestling Star Gets Married

6 days ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

After being engaged for more than a year and a half, a former Penn State wrestling star has gotten married. Beau Bartlett, who had been engaged to his fiance, Sydney Erin, is now officially married. “To learning and growing with you for as many years as we’re blessed with,” Bartlett posted to Instagram. “Now you’re stuck with me maniacal laugh4.27.25 🖤 “This comes less than two months after Bartlett wrapped up his college career with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia.
Penn State Recruiting: Anthony Poindexter Visits 4-Star

1 week ago | nittanysportsnow.com | Joe Smeltzer

In recruiting news, Penn State safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter visited a four-star safety prospect. Poindexter, a University of Virginia legend who grew up in Lynchburg, visited Jaziel Hart, a Class of 2026 star from the North Cross school in Roanoke, which is roughly an hour away. Hart has been on Penn State’s radar for a while. The school offered him last June, and since then, he’s visited the school three times. One of them took place Nov.