Rebuilding the base

[rigi19041]

PSU lost most of it's 2026 recruiting class and finished ranked 64th. The 2027 class looks better but is still very weak by PSU standards. So where do we go from here? Who do we hope to keep to develop a base before hitting the portal?

The players I can come up with that we need to keep to develop a base
QB: ??
RB: Two of Peoples, Martin, Wallace
WR: Howard, Robinson
TE: Rapp
OL: Three of Goodman, Donkoh, Alcience, Cousins
DE: Granville, Kemajou, Arrington,
DT:
DB: Four of Dixon, Zayas, Joseph, Neal, Toure
K: Barker

That's 16 players worth prioritizing IMO.

Add: 2026 recruits: Ford & Reeder (DEs)
Add 2027 recruits: Tarawallie & Montgomery (DL) and Telfair (CB)

That's only 21 players out of a roster of 85+ so we've got a long way to go.

Most important portal priorities:
1 QB
1 WR
1 TE
2 OL
1 DE
3 DT
3 LB

PSU needs a top QB and a total rebuild at DT & LB. That might get us to 7 or 8 wins at best.

15 of 18 are Franklin guys. Neal should not make the list which makes it 15 of 17.

 

[rigi19041]

This 2026 roster is so talent deprived across the board, Campbell now has a full blown 2-3 year rebuild project.

Our DEs are just terrible. The LBs are collectively a disaster. The RBs are worse than the infamous 2021 RB room. None of the current RBs are B1G caliber.

Top 4 priorities should be:
1. LB (3)
2. RB (2)
3. DE (2)
4. Safety (2)

5. DT
6. WR
7. OL


Where has thnew football GM been hiding?


This team.stinks

 

[Steelers1]

Playing Hansen over Peoples, Martin and Wallace isn't going to help recruiting with PA kids nor will it help bring in transfers seeing how Peoples transferred in and wasn't being used as he should, and Campbell isn't a great recruiter. You wanted this coaching upgrade Penn State savants you got it!! Penn State Nebraska'd themself.

Actually looks way worse than Nebraska

 

[Steelers1]

You could plausibly say we were already irrelevant before Campbell came on. Ask OSU how relevant we were.

Any team that makes the final four and is one or two plays from the title game is anything but irrelevant. If being relevant means beating OSU, then almost no one is relevant.

 

[Steelers1]

Sure I get what you’re saying, but I think we were very fortunate to get the draw we did in the ‘24 CFP and don’t think we had any shot of winning the title game. And that’s the definition I’m using for relevant.

Mostly I’m pushing back against the idea we should have stuck with Franklin.

We should have stuck with Franklin for one reason, there was only about a 5 percent chance of finding anyone better than him. There was a 95 percent chance of finding someone worse, we are now seeing that come to fruition.

 

[BobPSU92]

We should have stuck with Franklin for one reason, there was only about a 5 percent chance of finding anyone better than him. There was a 95 percent chance of finding someone worse, we are now seeing that come to fruition.

Franklin had to go. It wasn’t just about the team on the field (although last year’s team was a mess and Franklin lost big games). The constant contract extension crap and going around Kraft was the last straw.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

Sure I get what you’re saying, but I think we were very fortunate to get the draw we did in the ‘24 CFP and don’t think we had any shot of winning the title game. And that’s the definition I’m using for relevant.

Mostly I’m pushing back against the idea we should have stuck with Franklin.

You kidding me?? We had had a great shot at winning the Championship game. Ohio State only beat us by 7 earlier in the year. Playing a team twice in one year and winning both times is a tough thing to do.

 

[Ram20]

1. My judgement on whether it was the right decision to fire Franklin doesn’t hinge on the new coach’s record in year 1.

2. The firing could have been handled in a way that didn’t put the new coach immediately behind the 8 ball.

Bingo

 

[Ram20]

We should have stuck with Franklin for one reason, there was only about a 5 percent chance of finding anyone better than him. There was a 95 percent chance of finding someone worse, we are now seeing that come to fruition.

I disagree entirely. You take risks for greatness no? We knew what Franklin's ceiling was, he proved it after 12 years. And yes, it was pretty good, but for those that want a championship before they die, you have to take a swing. Plus, its not like Franklin was just gonna hang around. He was working for a new contract, so you were going to have to re-up with him if you were satisfied with the product. No doubt Franklin would have retained more players and been better than Campbell this year, but im not sure based on this year who Id want as the coach in 2028 with that schedule.

 

[Steelers1]

Franklin had to go. It wasn’t just about the team on the field (although last year’s team was a mess and Franklin lost big games). The constant contract extension crap and going around Kraft was the last straw.

I can understand that to some degree, but big picture it sure seems like he was worth it. If ask me which guy the university should have kept... Kraft or JF I'm bending over backwards for JF. Also to put it bluntly, JF was way underpaid here, and he also worked his tail off to get money for the other staff. Anyway you cut it, Firing him (especially the way they did) after two bad weeks of football set this program back for a long time. But I also see the point about contract extensions that you bring up. I don't care at all about losing big games in a very close fashion. I long for the days of playing in big games. Those days were fun

 

[94LionsFan]

You kidding me?? We had had a great shot at winning the Championship game. Ohio State only beat us by 7 earlier in the year. Playing a team twice in one year and winning both times is a tough thing to do.

Respectfully disagree. Our offense scored 6 points at home in the first meeting. That plus Franklin’s history against them, I don’t think we had a chance.

 

[JoeBot409]

PSU lost most of it's 2026 recruiting class and finished ranked 64th. The 2027 class looks better but is still very weak by PSU standards. So where do we go from here? Who do we hope to keep to develop a base before hitting the portal?

The players I can come up with that we need to keep to develop a base
QB: ??
RB: Two of Peoples, Martin, Wallace
WR: Howard, Robinson
TE: Rapp
OL: Three of Goodman, Donkoh, Alcience, Cousins
DE: Granville, Kemajou, Arrington,
DT:
DB: Four of Dixon, Zayas, Joseph, Neal, Toure
K: Barker

That's 16 players worth prioritizing IMO.

Add: 2026 recruits: Ford & Reeder (DEs)
Add 2027 recruits: Tarawallie & Montgomery (DL) and Telfair (CB)

That's only 21 players out of a roster of 85+ so we've got a long way to go.

Most important portal priorities:
1 QB
1 WR
1 TE
2 OL
1 DE
3 DT
3 LB

PSU needs a top QB and a total rebuild at DT & LB. That might get us to 7 or 8 wins at best.

Peoples averaged ~2 yards a carry against USC, he blows.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Peoples averaged ~2 yards a carry against USC, he blows.

Does he or are the running plays not effective for the running abilities of the backs? How many times is Mouser going to call runs up the middle of the line on first down? Are there no quick pitch or swing passes to RBs in the playbook? I think Peoples, Martin, and Wallace could be more successful if they were put in spaces to run or receive. I'm not saying they are elite backs but their abilities don't seem to be emphasized.

 

[psu0408]

CFB NIL Valuation Site

I'm skeptical that this site is accurate, but if true or in the ballpark of what was being paid, there were some questionable portal decisions here:

• Becht for $2m, Grunk available for 1.5M
• Ezeogu making $1.2M, top 15 for portal players at Edge, and has 0 sacks. Currently being paid $300K per tackle this season.
• DT - what a disaster. $900K for Keanu Williams when Gilliam at below $900K and Nnodim $750K.
• WR: Eskildsen at $915K when Koby Howard at $625K. Koby is about to double his payout for next year. Nick Marsh at $1m.
• Neal seemed like a good pickup at $867K, Buhr at $783 not so much.
• Hansen at $690K, 8th highest paid portal back - ugh.

Good news is a lot of money comes off the books for next season.

 

[rigi19041]

Respectfully disagree. Our offense scored 6 points at home in the first meeting. That plus Franklin’s history against them, I don’t think we had a chance.

Have the chances improved?

 

[Midnighter]

I can understand that to some degree, but big picture it sure seems like he was worth it. If ask me which guy the university should have kept... Kraft or JF I'm bending over backwards for JF. Also to put it bluntly, JF was way underpaid here, and he also worked his tail off to get money for the other staff. Anyway you cut it, Firing him (especially the way they did) after two bad weeks of football set this program back for a long time. But I also see the point about contract extensions that you bring up. I don't care at all about losing big games in a very close fashion. I long for the days of playing in big games. Those days were fun

Everything else being said, the other issue was he made bad decisions wrt coordinators (O & D) and they were either decent enough to move on (Pry, Diaz, Moorhead), or were fired (or would have been in Knowles/Kotelnicki's case), and blamed for all team woes (Donovan, Ciarocca, Yurcich, Kotelnicki, Knowles). Franklin took big swings, got what he wanted, and sh*t the bed. It was time for a sea change for both parties and unfortunately we opted for 'nicer' James Franklin with less recruiting chops. And didn't learn a single thing about long contracts.

 

[bdgan]

And major priority -- recruit PA!
Going 0 for 10 on best instate prospects is disastrous. 5 or 6 out of 10 is a realistic goal. JF did well in-state.

I don't think JF did well enough in PA but this past year was a total embarrassment. Only 1 of the top 10 in PA (Ford #8).

Only 1 of the top 10 in NJ (Reeder #4)
Zero of the top 10 in Maryland
Zero of the top 10 in Ohio
Zero of the top 10 in Virginia
Zero of the top 10 in NY

People who say we don't need high school recruits because we can buy what we need in the portal are dead wrong.

2026 rankings:

1. A&M
2. Miami
3. Oregon
4. Notre Dame
5. Oklahoma
6. Ohio State
7. Texas

That doesn't look like a list of teams that don't understand how to fill out a competitive roster.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

Respectfully disagree. Our offense scored 6 points at home in the first meeting. That plus Franklin’s history against them, I don’t think we had a chance.

Ahh, we led 10-0 in that game and they needed a goal line stand at the 1 yard line on our last drive to win the game. We score from the 1 and kick the extra point, we go ahead 21-20. Who knows if they would be able to score again, and who knows if we would have answered.

Ohio State was happy to get out of there alive.

 

[royboy]

I don't think JF did well enough in PA but this past year was a total embarrassment. Only 1 of the top 10 in PA (Ford #8).

Only 1 of the top 10 in NJ (Reeder #4)
Zero of the top 10 in Maryland
Zero of the top 10 in Ohio
Zero of the top 10 in Virginia
Zero of the top 10 in NY

People who say we don't need high school recruits because we can buy what we need in the portal are dead wrong.

2026 rankings:

1. A&M
2. Miami
3. Oregon
4. Notre Dame
5. Oklahoma
6. Ohio State
7. Texas

That doesn't look like a list of teams that don't understand how to fill out a competitive roster.

You went to some trouble to show just how bad the 2026 recruiting results were for Penn State?

Hello---the season collapsed, the head coach was fired, and his replacement was not announced for months.

Let's see how recruiting goes for 2027 and even more so for 2028, 2029, etc.

 

[Marshall2323]

You could plausibly say we were already irrelevant before Campbell came on. Ask OSU how relevant we were.

Makes perfect sense. If you can't beat Ohio State you might as well roll over and lose to everyone else.

 

[Marshall2323]

You went to some trouble to show just how bad the 2026 recruiting results were for Penn State?

Hello---the season collapsed, the head coach was fired, and his replacement was not announced for months.

Let's see how recruiting goes for 2027 and even more so for 2028, 2029, etc.

2027 is currently 6th or 7th in the big ten.
That isn't an indicator of excellence at the highest level.

 

[Marshall2323]

Respectfully disagree. Our offense scored 6 points at home in the first meeting. That plus Franklin’s history against them, I don’t think we had a chance.

At least we're making progress.

 

[rigi19041]

...

 

[Marshall2323]

Peoples averaged ~2 yards a carry against USC, he blows.

If you have 4 running backs you have none.

 

[Marshall2323]

CFB NIL Valuation Site

I'm skeptical that this site is accurate, but if true or in the ballpark of what was being paid, there were some questionable portal decisions here:

• Becht for $2m, Grunk available for 1.5M
• Ezeogu making $1.2M, top 15 for portal players at Edge, and has 0 sacks. Currently being paid $300K per tackle this season.
• DT - what a disaster. $900K for Keanu Williams when Gilliam at below $900K and Nnodim $750K.
• WR: Eskildsen at $915K when Koby Howard at $625K. Koby is about to double his payout for next year. Nick Marsh at $1m.
• Neal seemed like a good pickup at $867K, Buhr at $783 not so much.
• Hansen at $690K, 8th highest paid portal back - ugh.

Good news is a lot of money comes off the books for next season.

Funny how the new coach was gonna spend money so much better.

 

[rigi19041]

Funny how the new coach was gonna spend money so much better.

Funny how the new coach was gonna spend money so much better.

Where has the gm been hiding?