2026 3 Star Asjaziel Heart breaks down our commitment to Pennsylvania
Class 3 Star Athlete/Defensive Back Jaziel Hart of 2026 has announced his commitment Pennsylvania Thursday.
He pledged to the Nittany Lions in fellow finalists Michigan; Notre Dame, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Hart, who currently attends North Cross High School in Roanoke, Virginia, is the 15th most likely prospect in Virginia and ranks as the 36th most number one athlete in the 2026 cycle.
At the university level, Hart plays under the head coach James Franklindefensive coordinator Jim KnowlesAssociate Head Coach/Defensive Recruitment Coordinator/Cornerback Coach Terry M. Smithjoint defense coordinator/safety coach Anthony Poindexter And the rest Pennsylvania staff.
PSU staff make Hart feel like a priority throughout his recruitment period and he believes Happy Valley is the right place for him.
“Because of the coach’s loyalty and the way I show hospitality to me every time I’m there, I chose to commit to Pennsylvania. “They also take me as a person before the players. That’s why I respect that, respect the madness that Coach Franklin has, and that I can compete for the national championship as a Nittany Lion (all the reasons why I committed, it’s all for all).
Hart approached Franklin, Smith and graduate assistants at Poind Exeter. Jordan “Drop” Lucas Other staff members. Pennsylvania hired Knowles in late January, and although Hart’s relationship with the defensive coordinator is still being built, Hart considers himself a great fit to Knowles’ system.
“My relationship with those coaches is fantastic,” Hart pointed out. “I’m not only very close to Coach Smith, but I also have ‘Drop’ Lucas. They formed a relationship with me throughout all the visits and stayed close by with me, whom I have in my mind. My relationship with the coach has just got there, but it seems to be on a positive path.
Hart was recently at Happy Valley in late April. Poindexter also traveled to Virginia on May 7th to visit with Hart.
“My last visit (Pennsylvania) was April 25th, the day before the spring game. I was able to see before the match before they held the blue and white spring games,” Hart said.
He will officially visit Pennsylvania on the weekend of May 30th to June 1st. Hart plans to cancel all other official visits.
In addition to the schools mentioned earlier, Hart has received scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Louisville, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, West Virginia others.
The 6-foot, 171-pound Hart plays both sides of the North Cross ball as cornerback and wide receiver. Defensively, as a junior in 2024, he recorded over 50 tackles, 10 passes breakups, three intercepts and two picks six for the Raiders.
Hart is employed to play on the defensive side of the Pennsylvania ball, but the Nittany Lions also like playmaking abilities on offense, so they can use him in creative ways.
“PSU is recruiting me as a cornerback, but as an overall player, they like to see me play ball on both sides at a high elite level,” Hart explained. “I describe my game as a very high IQ player. I’ve read a lot there, but I also play it at very fast speeds.”
When the heart joins the folding Pennsylvania’s 2026 class Currently, it includes 17 total commitments. Nittany Lions is currently ranked fifth in the national recruiting team rankings.
Hart looks forward to becoming a Nittany Lion and is confident he will be successful under Franklin and the coaching staff.
“What stands out most about Pennsylvania for me is their 1-0 culture that brings them success,” Hart said. “The other thing is that players feature father/son traits and know how to coach each player differently.
“I will be the face of the program in a few years!”
