After suffering a setback in its 2023 recruiting class earlier this week, Penn State landed a future piece to its defensive line.

Three-star defensive lineman Tyriq Blanding announced his pledge to join the Nittany Lions via Twitter Friday night.

Blanding is the No. 13 player to join James Franklin’s 2023 class, and he marks the second defensive lineman in the class along with edge rusher Jameial Lyons.

The Long Island, New York, native is excited to come to Happy Valley.

“Penn State is really close to home, only like three hours away. They have a really good coaching staff. I have a really good relationship with (grad assistant) coach Deion Barnes,” Blanding said in an interview with 247Sports. “They have players from New York, and I really like coach James Franklin."

Blanding measures 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds while being the top player from New York and the No. 89 defensive lineman in the country, according to 247sports.

He was set to commit on Saturday but changed his mind and moved up his commitment to Friday.

The blue and white offered Blanding on Feb. 14, and he made two visits to Happy Valley, with his official visit taking place last weekend.

Blanding attends high school at Christ The King Regional on Long Island and is in the same league as quarterback A.J. Locke, who announced his decision to be a Penn State preferred walk-on earlier this month.

Blanding has 17 offers, with his main suitors being Penn State and Michigan, and he is scheduled to take an official visit with the Wolverines on June 24.

With the commitment of Blanding, the Nittany Lions have a top five recruiting class in the nation, and are atop the Big Ten.

Alex Rocco is a rising third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.