Defensive lineman Alexander Haskell decommitted from Penn State on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he gave his pledge to head coach Fran Brown and Syracuse.

Haskell is one of seven players to decommit from the Nittany Lions since the firing of head coach James Franklin on Oct. 12. It didn’t take long for Haskell to rediscover Syracuse, one of his finalists when he committed to Penn State on May 9.

In an interview with 247Sports, he said Brown and defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson were key to his choice of the Orange.

"Coach Brown and coach Elijah have been great to me and my family since they offered me," said Haskell, who is 6-foot-4, 265 pounds. "It came down to the wire when I made my original decision, and they are building something special.

"I'm there and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Haskell is one of 29 commits to the Orange’s 2026 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 25 in the nation by the 247Sports composite,

It is led by five-star commit Calvin Russell, a wide receiver from Northwestern High School in Miami, and four-stars Amare Gough and Jarius Rodgers.

Gough also is a wide receiver, playing at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Va. Rodgers plays the edge rusher position at Fleming Island High School in Orange Park, Fla.

The Alexander Haskell File

Haskell is a three-star prospect from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, an area where Brown and his staff have made inroads in recruiting. That’s the school that produced quarterback Kyle McCord, who led the Orange offense to a 10-3 season and led the nation in passing yards with 4,779 in 2024.

According to 247Sports, Michigan also was in the final three when Haskell initially chose Penn State. He contacted his second choice, Syracuse, after Franklin’s dismissal to ask if there remained room for him in the class.

The answer was positive.

"They have told me that they can see me being a future NFL player," Haskell told 247Sports. "I think they could develop me into a guy that can become a star in the NFL."

The 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 78 defensive lineman in the class.

Here is what Gabe Brooks, a scouting analyst for 247Sports, had to say about Haskell’s skills:

"Cuts the profile of an old-school strong-side defensive end. Relentless motor should translate regardless of long-term positional home. Flashes impressive initial acceleration and get-off juice that helps fuel some speed-to-power ability at the point of attack. Produced solid pass-rushing production as a junior (5.5 sacks).

"Ceiling in that category will rise with expanded move set, improved body control, and economy of movement when attacking. Projects as a P4/high-major prospect who could become a quality starter with potential beyond college."