Jake LaVerde is a long, physical freshman safety with walk-on upside at Penn State
In the 2026 season, Jake LaVerde is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound freshman safety at Penn State who arrived as a preferred walk-on after starring at Kirtland, where he was known as a winning, multi-sport competitor with quarterback-to-defense versatility. His appeal is the frame, toughness, and athletic profile that fit Penn State’s physical secondary, plus the kind of competitive edge coaches love to bet on. He’s still early in his college career, so the big question is development and immediate special-teams value—but if you want a hard-nosed, high-upside defensive back, he’s a name worth keeping on the radar.
