New Penn State WR commit Davion Brown draws comparison to NFL star

Penn State continued its recruiting hot streak on Monday when it picked up a commitment from 2026 four-star wide receiver Davion Brown a versatile prospect who has drawn comparisons to an NFL All-Pro.

Brown, Penn State’s fourth commit this month, is a standout at Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, Va.

Penn State practice, Aug. 20, 2024

On Tuesday morning, we caught up with Trinity coach Sam Mickens, who raved about Brown and what the 6-foot-3, 185-pound player could bring to Happy Valley.

“He is a version of Deebo Samuel,” Mickens said. “He’s a thick-bodied kid who plays running back, can be in the slot, can be on the outside. As much as he is a fast guy, he’s also twitchy. Can get from zero to 100 very quickly. And he’s naturally a running back when he gets the ball in his hands. He can accelerate through contact. He likes contact.

“I think Penn State’s gonna love him. I’m from Jersey originally, went to school in Kutztown, lived in Bethlehem for a few years, so I’m familiar with Penn State football. He is going to fit in very well. The toughness, the grit, the hard-working mentality. Yeah, they’re gonna like him.”

If Brown plays like Samuel, the uber-productive NFL veteran who carved out a unique role with the San Francisco 49ers, Penn State’s creative offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will be happy when he arrives on campus.

Brown is the 17th member of Penn State’s impressive 2026 recruiting class, which ranks No. 4 nationally behind only USC, Notre Dame and Ohio State, according to 247 Sports.

Brown is the fourth commit since the start of May, joining St. Joseph’s Prep lineman Alex Haskell, Coatesville linebacker Terry Wiggins and Patriot (Va.) linebacker Mathieu Lamah.

Brown is also the third wide receiver in the class alongside DeMatha (Md.) standout Lavar Keys and Appoquinimink (De.) star Jahseiar Rogers.

The Nittany Lions were compelled to take three veteran wide receivers via the transfer portal this offseason to provide Drew Allar with a set of targets for the 2025 season. Penn State would prefer not to live in the portal, so securing a trio of 2026 receiver commits in Keys, Rogers and now Brown is significant for the future of the position.

Penn State’s coaching staff was key in Brown’s decision to commit over offers from Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee and more. Mickens said receivers coach Marques Hagans and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter — a pair of former Virginia staffers — were instrumental.

“It was Coach Franklin and how he handled it. But he’s got a strong Virginia contingent on the staff with Dex and Coach Hagans,” Mickens said. “Those guys were recruiting legends when they were here at UVA. They have a strong rapport in the 804. They’re very comfortable when they come here, and they made it very comfortable when he was there.

“Kudos for Penn State for coming in and picking up some really quality people in the 804.”

And it sounds like Penn State got a weapon in Brown, too.