Penn State continues D-line retool with 3-star DT commitment
Penn State continues D-line retool with 3-star DT commitment
Christopher Sheppard, Nittany Lions Wire Sun, May 24, 2026 at 12:07 PM UTC
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Penn State continues D-line retool with 3-star DT commitment
While the Penn State offense has gotten a lot of attention over the past couple of weeks, it is the Penn State defense that should be receiving more praise amidst its retooling efforts. With new defensive coordinator D'anton Lynn and D-line coach Ikaika Malloe, they have been focused on building with size up front. With key transfers such as Armstrong Nnodim and Dallas Vakalahi up front, they wish to maintain a size advantage over opposing O-lines. With new commits as well, including a brand new three-star prospect on board.
Aniti Paiva may only be a three-star, but he represents what the Nittany Lions could want out of a potential nose tackle. While playing a lot of snaps at the nose tackle position in high school, Lynn and Malloe could move him all around their four-man front, as someone who could look to shed blockers and open up holes for others to record big plays as well as getting tackles for loss himself. He could allow the better pass rushers along the line to do the dirty work.
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Paiva is 6-3, 320 pounds, which is the image of Penn State's new look defense. Along with four-star recruit and 300-pounder Stanley Montgomery, they could become one of the most unheralded D-tackle tandems in the Big Ten. Knowing Matt Campbell and his recruiting philosophies, this may be exactly what he wants.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Defensive tackle Aniti Paiva commits to Penn State
Source: “AOL Sports”
