Mater Dei quartet, including nation's No. 1 running back, No. 2 offensive tackle, visiting Penn State this weekend

It seems wherever the Mater Dei High School (California) talent goes, headlines follow.

Unsurprisingly, the nation's No. 1 high school football program is absolutely loaded with elite athletes this year and many of those top prospects are taking key unofficial visits.

This weekend, four of Mater Dei's finest will be at Penn State University to check out the Nittany Lions:

- 5-star running back Jordon Davison, the nation's No. 1 ball-carrier in 2025

- 4-star offensive lineman Brandon Baker, the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle in 2024

- Elite signal-caller Elijah Brown, the nation's No. 5 quarterback in 2024

- Fast-rising wide receiver Jack Ressler, a three-star prospect with offers from all over the country (Florida State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, USC and many more)

While the visitors themselves are certainly newsworthy, so too is Penn State's recruiting venture with California prospects.

The Nittany Lions haven't landed a commitment from the state of California since the class of 2014 (Koa Farmer).

For perspective, that's one year before Penn State landed Saquon Barkley and four years before securing the commitment of Micah Parsons.

Penn State has traditionally recruited well in the Northeast, the Midwest and the South, particularly Florida.

If James Franklin can tap into California, one of the nation's three most talented high school football states, it would be a big win for the program. 

That effort could take a major step forward this weekend by impressing a talented set of young Mater Dei stars.