A freshman defensive end is already dominating Penn State's spring practices, showcasing elite athleticism and a rapid adjustment to the college game.
The Penn State Nittany Lions were hit hard in high school recruiting for its 2026 class.
Many recruits chose to join former PSU head coach James Franklin at Virginia Tech. That was partly because players were familiar with Franklin but also because of a long national coach search for Penn State.
Most impact players for Penn State for 2026 came via the transfer portal. The Nittany Lions saw 23 players transfer from Iowa State to rejoin new head coach Matt Campbell.
While the freshman class is small for PSU, one player is making his presence felt during spring football.
Campbell told reporters after Thursday's practice that defensive end Jackson Ford has been impressive during spring practice.
"He's a guy that has stood out in really every phase," Campbell said, via 247Sports. "His physical tools and physical ability, it's been really impressive."
Campbell praised the six-foot-five, 252-pound athlete for being able to adjust to the college level so quickly.
"Winter conditioning, for him to get up in the morning and compete the way he competed," Campbell said.
"For him then to come into (spring practice) in a brand-new defense, a lot going on, I feel like his adjustments one day at a time have been really impressive."
Ford was the highest-graded recruit for Penn State in the 2026 class. He's a four-star athlete from Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania.
Given his quick adjustment, Ford could be a key player on the defense this fall.
Ford is catching the attention of his teammates in practice, especially those tasked with blocking him on the opposite side of the ball.
"He's gonna be a stud one day," said Cooper Alexander, a redshirt sophomore tight end. "You look at him as a freshman — how big he is, and he's super athletic, too.
"His combination of speed and strength, he's already a really good player. I can't wait to see what he can do in the future."
While the freshman class for Penn State might be small this year (11), what matters is the impact they can make via the development of Campbell's staff. Ford appears well on his way to being an impactful freshman in the upcoming season.