2027 Recruiting Thread

SkiSkiSki

Senior
May 29, 2001
3,709
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Wishful thinking? Being designated such by the rank and file here, would be a compliment.

Good call.
 

MacNit

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
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Got my tickets for the Pitt game. Looking forward to the trip!

Agree 100% that two people can have different views. Also, that Campbell is a veteran coach and as such has a plan or a model he follows.
I too have a positive view of the upcoming season. Primarily because of the friendly schedule. I think 2026 could be very similar to Indiana's 2024 season.
My concerns are for the 2027 season and beyond. The recruiting is not improved over the average of Franklin's tenure.
I believe this is tied to PSU's inability to compete financially with the top ten spenders or perhaps even the top 15.
The sheep here, insist that recruiting (high school) is irrelevant, due to the portal. This is a very foolish assertion since the players in the portal value money as much as high school players (perhaps more). Limited funds do not translate to portal bonanza. By the way, I believe Coach Campbell has stated that he favors the developmental program model.
My next disagreement with the cheer leading section here, is that Matt Campbell's presence is a terrific boost both in game day and "coach em up" ability. Last fall PSU players ranked 8th on NFL rosters which exceeds the average industry recruiting rankings during Franklin's tenure. Someone coached those players. Blasphemy, right? There is absolutely no tangible evidence to rely on that impact. Granted that every coach has a different approach and persona, but national publications would rate the Virginia Tech and PSU hires as "very good." Perhaps A or A-.
Bottom line is that sooner or later (likely 2027-28), PSU's on the field fortunes will be determined by the class of 2026 and 2027. If PSU doesn't acquire more difference makers (high 4s and a few 5s) the future results will be no better than the past 300 games. I don't care who the HFC is if you are being out recruited by 2,3,4 or 5 schools in your conference, your optimism is fools gonfantadtuc

Fantastic - should be a highly anticipated battle of wits! Probably an ABC headliner!
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
10,267
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I agree with your overall assessment. Assuming we keep the class together to date, I think Dean and Odoh are going to be high 4 stars by the end of the cycle. Odoh would be now if he did not get nicked up in his junior year. I’m super positive about every aspect of the class except for OL. I think it is a group that has a very high ceiling, but not as many college ready bodies as I would hope for. And it looks like we are going to lose Carter Jones to Clemson, which is very unfortunate.
Jones to Clemson as you said. They really need to get a kid like Kuhn now.
 
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LionsAndBears

All-Conference
Dec 7, 2009
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DE/Edge and OL recruiting are lacking.

DE, I absolutely agree but I think that'll be fixed after OVs. OL, I don't necessarily agree but I understand why you would say that. To date we've gotten guys with a ton of size and potential but there aren't any Malachi Goodmans on our commitment list.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
10,267
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DE, I absolutely agree but I think that'll be fixed after OVs. OL, I don't necessarily agree but I understand why you would say that. To date we've gotten guys with a ton of size and potential but there aren't any Malachi Goodmans on our commitment list.
We have missed out on every high ranked OL player in our traditional recruiting footprint, notably PA. Not a good start for Clanton.
 

LionsAndBears

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We have missed out on every high ranked OL player in our traditional recruiting footprint, notably PA. Not a good start for Clanton.

OL Recruiting is such a wait and see type thing. We've had so many 4* and 5* guys flop and on the other end we've had low 3* guys excel. With OL I think you just try to recruit aggressive guys with size and hope they excel once they're in the program.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
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OL Recruiting is such a wait and see type thing. We've had so many 4* and 5* guys flop and on the other end we've had low 3* guys excel. With OL I think you just try to recruit aggressive guys with size and hope they excel once they're in the program.
Good point, but Clanton better be the second coming of Jeff Stoutland then. You did specifically single out Goodman, who was a massively recruited OL player out of HS. He could have went anywhere he wanted to go. We currently don’t have anyone like that committed to the OL. There weren’t any players like that in the 26 recruiting class either, so if none of these guys pan out, or Clanton doesn’t turn it around for the 27 class, the OL will need to be heavily revamped through the portal in the future. Since, we seem to be cash limited, that isn’t ideal either, it seems.
 
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LionsAndBears

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Good point, but Clanton better be the second coming of Jeff Stoutland then. You did specifically single out Goodman, who was a massively recruited OL player out of HS. He could have went anywhere he wanted to go. We currently don’t have anyone like that committed to the OL.

For every Goodman there's been a Joel Holler and Jven Williams.
 
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Marshall2323

All-Conference
Aug 7, 2024
3,865
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Clanton is not lighting it up in recruiting.
I don't believe this can be written or spoken aloud. It triggers the portion of the BWICAC bylaws relating to sedition, insurgency and subversion. Such dangerous suggestions are an indication of allegiance to James Franklin and could result in permanent assignment to fandom in Blacksburg.
 

Marshall2323

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Aug 7, 2024
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Rivals currently has PSU's class of 2027 as 7th in the conference. PSU is credited with 0 5 stars and 6 -4 stars.
Nebraska has 6
UCLA 9
Michigan 10
Oregon 10
OSU 2 5* and 9 four stars
USC 1 5* 8 four stars

Are these industry ratings 100% accurate and foolproof? Of course not. However, signing 5 and 4 stars is likely a better plan than signing 3 stars and assuring one another that we will "coach them up."
It's troubling that the new staff hasn't enjoyed a bump in recruiting. Before someone insists that all will be rectified in the portal, you must first explain that Oregon, USC, and Ohio State will not be active in the portal as well.
I'm not sure this is a coaching staff problem.....as much as it is a Pat Kraft miscalculation...putting all the goodwill $$$ in the stadium project and refusing to acknowledge that it would create an NIL shortage. If something doesn't improve, there could be some empty luxury boxes in 2028.
 

Alphalion75

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
14,975
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Rivals currently has PSU's class of 2027 as 7th in the conference. PSU is credited with 0 5 stars and 6 -4 stars.
Nebraska has 6
UCLA 9
Michigan 10
Oregon 10
OSU 2 5* and 9 four stars
USC 1 5* 8 four stars

Are these industry ratings 100% accurate and foolproof? Of course not. However, signing 5 and 4 stars is likely a better plan than signing 3 stars and assuring one another that we will "coach them up."
It's troubling that the new staff hasn't enjoyed a bump in recruiting. Before someone insists that all will be rectified in the portal, you must first explain that Oregon, USC, and Ohio State will not be active in the portal as well.
I'm not sure this is a coaching staff problem.....as much as it is a Pat Kraft miscalculation...putting all the goodwill $$$ in the stadium project and refusing to acknowledge that it would create an NIL shortage. If something doesn't improve, there could be some empty luxury boxes in 2028.
My friend, did you actually wake up this morning with this initial thought?
 
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WaffleShopper

All-Conference
Sep 20, 2023
506
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Rivals currently has PSU's class of 2027 as 7th in the conference. PSU is credited with 0 5 stars and 6 -4 stars.
Nebraska has 6
UCLA 9
Michigan 10
Oregon 10
OSU 2 5* and 9 four stars
USC 1 5* 8 four stars

Are these industry ratings 100% accurate and foolproof? Of course not. However, signing 5 and 4 stars is likely a better plan than signing 3 stars and assuring one another that we will "coach them up."
It's troubling that the new staff hasn't enjoyed a bump in recruiting. Before someone insists that all will be rectified in the portal, you must first explain that Oregon, USC, and Ohio State will not be active in the portal as well.
I'm not sure this is a coaching staff problem.....as much as it is a Pat Kraft miscalculation...putting all the goodwill $$$ in the stadium project and refusing to acknowledge that it would create an NIL shortage. If something doesn't improve, there could be some empty luxury boxes in 2028.
Stressed Mickey Mouse GIF
 

WaffleShopper

All-Conference
Sep 20, 2023
506
1,048
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My friend, did you actually wake up this morning with this initial thought?
12 years of failing on the big stage and an epic collapse last year wasn’t enough to chase Franklin away but we should be panicking before Campbell coaches his first game because he doesn’t have a top 5 recruiting class. On second thought, it does look like Campbell is on track to be the same “elite” recruiter that Franklin was:

Average player ratings for Franklin
89.05 - 1st full class (2015)
88.48 - average of his first 3 years

Average player rating for Campbell
89.05 - 1st full class (2027)
 

Alphalion75

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
14,975
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12 years of failing on the big stage and an epic collapse last year wasn’t enough to chase Franklin away but we should be panicking before Campbell coaches his first game because he doesn’t have a top 5 recruiting class. On second thought, it does look like Campbell is on track to be the same “elite” recruiter that Franklin was:

Average player ratings for Franklin
89.05 - 1st full class (2015)
88.48 - average of his first 3 years

Average player rating for Campbell
89.05 - 1st full class (2027)
I just don't understand all the panicking before we've seen the product on the field. And you know someone's in panic mode when they make a negative post here before sunrise.
 

LMTLION

All-Conference
Mar 20, 2008
1,567
3,228
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Jones to Clemson as you said. They really need to get a kid like Kuhn now.
Even with his freaking girlfriend going to PSU next year and a big push at the end to compete with clemson’s offer, we could not land Jones. You know I am the biggest cheerleader and love the class overall, but I am concerned that the OL class in general is high in potential and low on upper level college ready talent. Some of the guys may end up being amazing. It’s just unreasonable to think the staff can get them all ready to compete at a B1G level. We should not have let Clemson outbid us for Jones.
 

rigi19041

Freshman
Apr 1, 2026
159
63
28
12 years of failing on the big stage and an epic collapse last year wasn’t enough to chase Franklin away but we should be panicking before Campbell coaches his first game because he doesn’t have a top 5 recruiting class. On second thought, it does look like Campbell is on track to be the same “elite” recruiter that Franklin was:

Average player ratings for Franklin
89.05 - 1st full class (2015)
88.48 - average of his first 3 years

Average player rating for Campbell
89.05 - 1st full class (2027)

What is your prediction for the season? Are you going to predict more wins than you expected last year?

Do you have the team winning on the big stage this year? Only one team on the schedule ranked ahead of psu. You should probably pick them to go 12--0. 11-1 assumes they lose on the big stage. 10-2 or less means they get upset at least once.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
10,267
14,998
113
Even with his freaking girlfriend going to PSU next year and a big push at the end to compete with clemson’s offer, we could not land Jones. You know I am the biggest cheerleader and love the class overall, but I am concerned that the OL class in general is high in potential and low on upper level college ready talent. Some of the guys may end up being amazing. It’s just unreasonable to think the staff can get them all ready to compete at a B1G level. We should not have let Clemson outbid us for Jones.
They will need to hit the portal hard for OL in the future.
 
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PSU89er

Junior
Nov 22, 2023
213
278
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They will need to hit the portal hard for OL in the future.
I'm counting 14 underclassman scholarship lineman with at least 2 years eligibility and 10 with three or more. Why do we need to hit the portal or do you think none of these kids develop? We could start 4 underclassman this year with Goodman, Riker, Cousins and Buhr. MAybe you are thinking Cousins and Buhr turn pro, but heck. Middle level NFL prospect, stay in college and get paid.
 
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rigi19041

Freshman
Apr 1, 2026
159
63
28
I'm counting 14 underclassman scholarship lineman with at least 2 years eligibility and 10 with three or more. Why do we need to hit the portal or do you think none of these kids develop? We could start 4 underclassman this year with Goodman, Riker, Cousins and Buhr. MAybe you are thinking Cousins and Buhr turn pro, but heck. Middle level NFL prospect, stay in college and get paid.
To keep the stargazers happy
 

Thorndike2021

All-Conference
Mar 1, 2012
832
1,838
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Again, 'recruiting' is a thing of the past. The best players are going to the highest bidder, or a personal choice from among 3/4 highest bidders. Some of these kids will eat and train on another team's dime then come our way via the portal. Time will tell; for those of you who have time.

I was outside earlier; the sky is NOT falling despite rumors to that effect.
 
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PSU89er

Junior
Nov 22, 2023
213
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STOP responding to this poster, PLEASE! Put on ignore!

If I put someone on ignore I wont get to laugh at so many of the absolute stupid things that often get said on this site. You people that put people on ignore are just losing out on a lot of the fun, and if what someone says on here is acutally causing you problems.

Take a chill pill and relax. Nothing on this board is of any true importance.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
10,267
14,998
113
I'm counting 14 underclassman scholarship lineman with at least 2 years eligibility and 10 with three or more. Why do we need to hit the portal or do you think none of these kids develop? We could start 4 underclassman this year with Goodman, Riker, Cousins and Buhr. MAybe you are thinking Cousins and Buhr turn pro, but heck. Middle level NFL prospect, stay in college and get paid.
Two straight years of down OL recruiting will bite you at some point. Granted, the portal can be an instant upgrade if needed.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
2,722
3,174
113
Even with his freaking girlfriend going to PSU next year and a big push at the end to compete with clemson’s offer, we could not land Jones. You know I am the biggest cheerleader and love the class overall, but I am concerned that the OL class in general is high in potential and low on upper level college ready talent. Some of the guys may end up being amazing. It’s just unreasonable to think the staff can get them all ready to compete at a B1G level. We should not have let Clemson outbid us for Jones.
Maybe Clemson will offer Jone's girlfriend a "scholarship" ala DT Briese a few years ago, and she'll enter the portal to go to Clemson?
 

rigi19041

Freshman
Apr 1, 2026
159
63
28
Two straight years of down OL recruiting will bite you at some point. Granted, the portal can be an instant upgrade if needed.


26 and 27 have not played a game and you know it was two down years????

What will be the best position group in the 26 and 27 classes?