In an exciting development for Penn State's football program, they have secured a commitment from Christian Askew, a talented safety from Kathleen (Ga.) Veterans High School, who made a significant visit to the campus this past weekend. With a strategic plan in place, Askew was invited by Coach Matt Campbell and his new coaching staff to explore what Penn State has to offer, and if everything aligned perfectly, to extend his stay a bit longer. His official visit began on Friday, and he will now settle into University Park ahead of the upcoming spring semester.
On Saturday evening, Askew proudly announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions, marking him as the 14th high school athlete to join Penn State's Class of 2026.
"The leadership within the program, particularly from Coach Campbell, really resonated with me," Askew shared. "I've developed a strong rapport with Coach Drop [assistant cornerbacks coach Jordan Lucas], who has continuously recruited and supported me since my junior year. I appreciate the facilities and the campus atmosphere, which are both impressive, and it’s evident that the program is on an upward trajectory. Additionally, Penn State provides excellent academic opportunities and fosters a family-like environment, making it the ideal fit for my growth as both a player and a person, both on and off the field."
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, Askew initially signed with James Madison during the early signing period but later requested to be released from his commitment after Bob Chesney took over the head coaching position at UCLA. Although he had pledged to the Dukes back in September, he also received interest from several other schools including Air Force, Army, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Navy, and Yale. Notably, Askew is the second player from James Madison to switch allegiance to Penn State in just a month, following Virginia wide receiver Ben Whitver's decision to do the same last December.
As a versatile defender, Askew is expected to play as a safety for the Nittany Lions. Currently, he remains unrated by Rivals and does not appear in their industry rankings. As it stands, Penn State's recruiting class is ranked No. 68 nationally as they approach the second National Signing Day in February. During his high school career, Askew showcased his skills as both a cornerback and safety, ultimately transitioning to safety in his senior year. In his junior season in 2024, he earned All-Region honors by racking up 48 tackles, 15 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Impressively, he returned one of those interceptions for a 15-yard touchdown.
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