Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith are putting in work for Penn State on the recruiting trail.

Antonio Branch Jr., a three-star safety from Miami, committed to Penn State on Wednesday. He became the first safety in Penn State’s 2025 class and the third defensive back to commit in the past two weeks, joining four-star corners Daryus Dixson (June 10) and Jahmir Joseph (Monday).

Central Catholic’s Xxavier Thomas, a three-star corner who committed in December, rounds out what is turning into a strong recruiting class at defensive back.

Branch, who is 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, took an official visit to Penn State at the end of May, his first trip to campus. He visited Nebraska in April and was scheduled to see Louisville later this month, while he also canceled a visit to Florida after narrowing his recruitment.

Penn State has made a habit out of recruiting in Florida, pulling in at least two prospects from the state in each of the past three classes. Branch is also the second Florida native in the 2025 class, joining quarterback Bekkem Kritza. Kritza played in Colorado when he committed, but he has since moved to Miami.

With Branch’s commitment, Penn State’s 2025 class ranks ninth in the country, according to the 247Sports composite. There’s still plenty of time before National Signing Day, but the Nittany Lions haven’t had a top-10 recruiting class since 2022, a group headlined by Drew Allar and Nicholas Singleton.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)