**Three-Star Safety Darrell Carey Commits to Penn State Football**

Penn State Football has secured a significant addition to its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of three-star safety Darrell Carey from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Carey announced his decision on Friday, choosing the Nittany Lions over offers from Oregon, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and Maryland. citeturn0search4

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds, Carey is ranked as the No. 7 overall player in Maryland and the No. 23 safety nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. citeturn0search6 His commitment marks the 11th for Penn State’s 2026 class, which now ranks in the Top 10 nationally. citeturn0search3

Carey’s decision to join Penn State continues the program’s strong recruiting presence in the DMV area. He becomes the eighth prospect from DeMatha Catholic to commit to the Nittany Lions since 2012, joining notable names like KJ Winston and Coziah Izzard. citeturn0search3

In his junior season, Carey played a pivotal role in leading DeMatha to a WCAC Championship and earned first-team all-conference honors. citeturn0search5 His versatility on the field is evident, having demonstrated the ability to excel at safety, cornerback, and nickel positions. Carey’s skill set aligns well with Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ three-safety defensive scheme, which values players capable of playing close to the line of scrimmage and adapting to various roles. citeturn0search5

Carey visited Penn State’s campus on April 12 and is scheduled for an official visit on June 6. citeturn0search3 He is the second safety to commit to the 2026 class, joining four-star prospect Matt Sieg from Fort Cherry High School in Pennsylvania. citeturn0search6

Carey’s commitment not only strengthens Penn State’s secondary but also reinforces the program’s recruiting momentum under head coach James Franklin. As the Nittany Lions continue to build a formidable 2026 class, securing versatile and talented players like Carey will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge on the national stage.