Chesterfield, VA, defensive end Hakeem Beamon committed to Penn State Friday afternoon, boosting James Franklin’s 2019 recruiting class to nine members. 

The four-star standout for Lloyd C. Bird High School picked the Nittany Lions over scholarship offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others.

Beamon originally committed to North Carolina on June 18, 2017 after attending a camp in Chapel Hill, but backed off his verbal to the Tar Heels in March. Penn State offered him in late January, with defensive line coach Sean Spencer serving as his primary recruiter of record.

Beamon unofficially visited campus May 12 to check out what Penn State had to offer, and he clearly was impressed with what he saw. A few weeks later, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Beamon became Penn State’s first defensive line commit this cycle.

While projected as a defensive end in college, Beamon has the frame to flex inside to defensive tackle if need be. He’s considered the nation’s 137th overall prospect and the third-best recruit from Virginia for 2019, according to 247Sports, giving the Nittany Lions commitments from each of the state’s top three players.

Five-star linebacker Brandon Smith (Mineral, VA) and four-star running back Devyn Ford (Stafford, VA) joined Penn State’s recruiting class two weeks ago during a flurry of commitments for Franklin and his staff.

Beamon’s verbal jumped the Nittany Lions up a spot to the No. 15 class in college football. They currently trail only Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten recruiting rankings as June gets underway.

Virginia’s fourth-best prospect, four-star athlete Cam’Ron Kelly, announces his college choice on June 7, with Penn State, Virginia, and Clemson viewed as the favorites heading into his decision.

You can watch Beamon’s Hudl highlight reel right here.