2027 Recruiting Thread

[Marshall2323]

I think an established portal player is almost always going to be a better bargain than a 5 star and a much better option. Rumor mill is we played Olesh upwards of a million dollars last year for what?

and you think that makes more sense than spending a million on a kid that has shown he can play college football. Really!!! Its apparent many of these 5 stars are getting upwards of 3 million dollars while the majority of major college starters are not getting that much.

Get strong kids that you feel have potential for a reasonable price. Watch them develop, when they do pay them more, when they dont you dont lose as much, and the savings of not paying for some HS hot shot, use it to get transfers that will play the day they step on campus.

Is your response going to be, but how can you get a top 5 or top 10 recruiting class doing that?

"Getting strong kids that you feel have potential" will be recruited by 20 or 30 other schools and end up going to the program that gives them the most $$$.
While Matt Campbell may have a knack for identifying talent, he isn't the only coach in the world with the recipe for ice.
Signing players that you alone think have potential is a very silly business plan.
We need to accept as reality that this is an era of unrestricted free agency. I hope it changes and guardrails are put into place. But, waiting for that won't put a championship contender on the field in 27-29.

 

[Marshall2323]

Why do you seem to think you can get an established player in the portal for less than a HS recruit? I never said pay a HS kid more than an established portal player. I agree with you on this. I’ll take that established portal player 9 times out of 10. However, I think you would have a hard time finding an established portal player that would be less if in high demand.

Pay me now, or pay me later. There's no short cut home.

 

[Marshall2323]

That $1mill is straight from PSU donors and insiders on the premium boards. that is not rumor but common knowledge in PSU circles. The other ridiculous amounts are real too, like $500k to Liam Clifford. Franklin was fired for a variety of reasons starting with demanding a huge raise last summer but also because he wasted donor money on foolishness.

LOL. There was never a demand for a huge raise. I've been on the "premium" board. They are no more insiders than the experts here.
Franklin was fired for losing 3 games and the resulting unrest among the fan base.
The seeds of the firing were sown in the offseason as follows:
1. There was always an intense disagreement between Kraft and Franklin over the scope and timing of the stadium renovation, Franklin feared that given the present climate of NIL in the game, that excessive spending on the stadium would impact NIL funds.
2. Undeterred, Kraft went ahead with his plan. He also assured Franklin that monies would be available to sign premium recruits before the 7/1/25 deadline for the new NIL clearinghouse rules. When the time came to sign the likes of Luke Wafle (who badly wanted to come to PSU) Kraft had no such money available.
3. Franklin felt betrayed as he dutifully spoke at fundraising events at the behest of Kraft (in favor of the project).
4. Kraft reacted to this by claiming that Franklin mismanaged his roster $ (hence all the "inside" info planted by the Kraft toadies)
5. Franklin's agent requested an extension, in line with a coach that had reached the final four.
6. The Franklin-Kraft marriage had irreconcilable differences by early summer and both knew that the 2025 season would be Franklin's last ....win or lose.
7. All's well that ends well. Franklin is doing just fine. PSU has Kraft.
Funny, PSU still isn't signing top end talent? Why?
PS...speaking of overpaying for talent....did PSU overpay 4 or 5 returning players to keep them from further embarrassment (going to VT)? I wonder what the "insiders" know about that?

 

[Marshall2323]

I have no idea what Manske is making. That detail I’ve never seen. I only have seen the detail that the ISU guys came in at a discount and the PSU retentions were very costly. Campbell had enough sense to be upfront with everybody about the payroll situation so there’s no hard feelings in the locker room. Thankfully, the ISU players were just grateful and felt fortunate to come here. That’s the culture that Campbell builds.
Those salaries are never secret in the locker room . That’s also another factor that helped tear the previous PSU team apart. It started in 2024 when everybody found out that Carter was being paid a huge premium and allowed to get away with nonsense while much of the rest of the team was underpaid at that point. And the pay inequities continued in 2025 helping to completely tear the team apart. Terry thankfully helped get it back together.
Back to current, it is my opinion they’re preparing for the possibility of having to pay for a rental QB for 2027 as the young man’s health may still be a concern. Between Falzone, Evans, and Wood, it’s highly doubtful any of them would be ready to start at QB at such a young age.

If ISU players came here at a discount, where did the money go?

 

[rigi19041]

I personally think it’s a loss even with him being lower rated on 247 and ESPN services. I said that in my message? And yes, the money bag dictates most of these “commitments.” FYI Gleason has wandering eyes too. But in terms of Robinson, both sites seem to be saying we parted ways with Robinson .

Then maybe you can clue us in as to what transpired? My post was pure speculation as to it possibly being a money issue. I believe he is a strong prospect, so it's not lack of talent. Perhaps he looked at the current DB room and 2027 verbals and thought he would have a better opportunity for early PT @ UVA?

It was not money if psu signs a better player for more money.

Dhillon McGee is now scheduled for a visit.

 

[PSU4U]

It was not money if psu signs a better player for more money.

Dhillon McGee is now scheduled for a visit.

It wasn't Robinsons choice right.

 

[Connorpozlee]

LOL. There was never a demand for a huge raise. I've been on the "premium" board. They are no more insiders than the experts here.
Franklin was fired for losing 3 games and the resulting unrest among the fan base.
The seeds of the firing were sown in the offseason as follows:
1. There was always an intense disagreement between Kraft and Franklin over the scope and timing of the stadium renovation, Franklin feared that given the present climate of NIL in the game, that excessive spending on the stadium would impact NIL funds.
2. Undeterred, Kraft went ahead with his plan. He also assured Franklin that monies would be available to sign premium recruits before the 7/1/25 deadline for the new NIL clearinghouse rules. When the time came to sign the likes of Luke Wafle (who badly wanted to come to PSU) Kraft had no such money available.
3. Franklin felt betrayed as he dutifully spoke at fundraising events at the behest of Kraft (in favor of the project).
4. Kraft reacted to this by claiming that Franklin mismanaged his roster $ (hence all the "inside" info planted by the Kraft toadies)
5. Franklin's agent requested an extension, in line with a coach that had reached the final four.
6. The Franklin-Kraft marriage had irreconcilable differences by early summer and both knew that the 2025 season would be Franklin's last ....win or lose.
7. All's well that ends well. Franklin is doing just fine. PSU has Kraft.
Funny, PSU still isn't signing top end talent? Why?
PS...speaking of overpaying for talent....did PSU overpay 4 or 5 returning players to keep them from further embarrassment (going to VT)? I wonder what the "insiders" know about that?

Franklin would still be at Penn State if he bothered coaching last season. He didn’t, he deserved to be fired.

 

[bdgan]

"Getting strong kids that you feel have potential" will be recruited by 20 or 30 other schools and end up going to the program that gives them the most $$$.
While Matt Campbell may have a knack for identifying talent, he isn't the only coach in the world with the recipe for ice.
Signing players that you alone think have potential is a very silly business plan.
We need to accept as reality that this is an era of unrestricted free agency. I hope it changes and guardrails are put into place. But, waiting for that won't put a championship contender on the field in 27-29.

I think part of Campbell's problem is that he doesn't have the connections with high schools in our primary recruiting region (PA, MD, NJ, VA). Those things take time to develop. Franklin had some of those in place when he came in because he coached at Maryland. Coaches start developing relationships with these kids when they're sophomores and juniors. I don't think Campbell has had much contact with many kids in the northeast until now.

 

[Marshall2323]

Franklin would still be at Penn State if he bothered coaching last season. He didn’t, he deserved to be fired.

It was time for a change. He's in a better place....recruiting better than PSU and getting paid more money over the next 5 years.

 

[Connorpozlee]

It was time for a change. He's in a better place....recruiting better than PSU and getting paid more money over the next 5 years.

He stole money last year. Enjoy him in Blacksburg.

 

[Marshall2323]

I think part of Campbell's problem is that he doesn't have the connections with high schools in our primary recruiting region (PA, MD, NJ, VA). Those things take time to develop. Franklin had some of those in place when he came in because he coached at Maryland. Coaches start developing relationships with these kids when they're sophomores and juniors. I don't think Campbell has had much contact with many kids in the northeast until now.

All of that is true ....but more so under the old rules. If he was offering more money he'd be attracting more talent. Something doesn't add up. Virtually no money was spent on the 2026 class. The 2 dozen transfers from ISU should have been bargains.
Kraft stated that NIL funds were increased. Perhaps Campbell will flip some top talent after the congestion of recruiting is done. But, judging from where it stands right now, it's a mystery why there aren't some higher rated commits.

 

[bdgan]

He stole money last year. Enjoy him in Blacksburg.

I'm not sure what you mean by "he stole money".

IMO he had two problems.

1. He did his best but couldn't get it done in big games.
2. After losing to Oregon in OT last year he seemed to quit on the team. He looked like a deer in the headlights.

I don't know if could have ever overcome #1. The pressure obviously got to him on #2. He needed to go and VT is a good choice. He has recruiting connections in the region and the VT fans will be elated with a 9-3 team.

 

[Marshall2323]

He stole money last year. Enjoy him in Blacksburg.

Boohoo

He stole money last year. Enjoy him in Blacksburg.

Haha, he stole another 9 million after that. Ha......Everyone is Blacksburg loves the guy. Money is flowing like water there. It's the so called loyal PSU fans who can't muster enough maturity to wish the best for Campbell and Franklin.

 

[PSU89er]

"Getting strong kids that you feel have potential" will be recruited by 20 or 30 other schools and end up going to the program that gives them the most $$$.
While Matt Campbell may have a knack for identifying talent, he isn't the only coach in the world with the recipe for ice.
Signing players that you alone think have potential is a very silly business plan.
We need to accept as reality that this is an era of unrestricted free agency. I hope it changes and guardrails are put into place. But, waiting for that won't put a championship contender on the field in 27-29.

Are you being this thick on purpose?

1.) You are correct. These strong kids are going to have a lot of schools coming at them and they are going to go to a school that pays them well (maybe not the highest bidder, but one of the highest), but in simple terms. If the 5 star is getting a dollar, we are talking about a kid getting paid 15 to 20 cents from the highest bidder.

2.) I'm not talking about kids that have potential to be OK. I'm talking about kids that have high end potential. Like take any high draft pick that came into college as a high3/low4 star prospect, and these are the prospects we are landing left and right. For some reason you think potential means they cant play at a college level. Basically, they can all play at a college level its identifying the kids that have the potential to be NFL kids that just haven't hit it yet (thats why they are 3 or low 4 stars) and those players are all over the place. There is a lot more than just 50 HS recruits of them out there that you star watchers want PSU to bring in. The DE from Rhode Island has high potential written all over him, but he isn't going to get paid anything close Sesay. You land three DEs like Guertin, and I'll almost assure you one of them will end up better than Sesay and all three probably wont cost as much combined.

BTW, I've been staying in a cottage on Oakland Beach in Warwick this week. Haven't run into Guertin, but some dude must have fell asleep at the wheel yesterday went complete across the road almost ran into a fence right in front of Bishop Hendrickson high school before swerving completely back across the road and almost running into me. My wife was freaking out. Talk about a nice place to live in the summer. Third time I've been up here in 20 years. Great vacation spot.

 

[Marshall2323]

I'm not sure what you mean by "he stole money".

IMO he had two problems.

1. He did his best but couldn't get it done in big games.
2. After losing to Oregon in OT last year he seemed to quit on the team. He looked like a deer in the headlights.

I don't know if could have ever overcome #1. The pressure obviously got to him on #2. He needed to go and VT is a good choice. He has recruiting connections in the region and the VT fans will be elated with a 9-3 team.

Franklin coudn't beat Ohio State. Period. Of course no one else in conference does either (except Connor Stalions).
He and PSU needed a "fresh start." Kraft and Franklin had a death feud anyway.....one had to go. It is actually quite possible that in 3-4-5 years reasonable people will see the change as good for everyone.
But, there are many frightened PSU fans here that need to denigrate Franklin, largely to create breathing room should Campbell get off to a less than stellar start.

 

[Marshall2323]

Are you being this thick on purpose?

1.) You are correct. These strong kids are going to have a lot of schools coming at them and they are going to go to a school that pays them well (maybe not the highest bidder, but one of the highest), but in simple terms. If the 5 star is getting a dollar, we are talking about a kid getting paid 15 to 20 cents from the highest bidder.

2.) I'm not talking about kids that have potential to be OK. I'm talking about kids that have high end potential. Like take any high draft pick that came into college as a high3/low4 star prospect, and these are the prospects we are landing left and right. For some reason you think potential means they cant play at a college level. Basically, they can all play at a college level its identifying the kids that have the potential to be NFL kids that just haven't hit it yet (thats why they are 3 or low 4 stars) and those players are all over the place. There is a lot more than just 50 HS recruits of them out there that you star watchers want PSU to bring in. The DE from Rhode Island has high potential written all over him, but he isn't going to get paid anything close Sesay. You land three DEs like Guertin, and I'll almost assure you one of them will end up better than Sesay and all three probably wont cost as much combined.

BTW, I've been staying in a cottage on Oakland Beach in Warwick this week. Haven't run into Guertin, but some dude must have fell asleep at the wheel yesterday went complete across the road almost ran into a fence right in front of Bishop Hendrickson high school before swerving completely back across the road and almost running into me. My wife was freaking out. Talk about a nice place to live in the summer. Third time I've been up here in 20 years. Great vacation spot.

They can all play at the college level. My mistake, I thought we were talking about building a roster that could achieve "excellence at the highest level."

 

[PSU89er]

PS...speaking of overpaying for talent....did PSU overpay 4 or 5 returning players to keep them from further embarrassment (going to VT)? I wonder what the "insiders" know about that?

Think of all the PSU starters that went in the portal and went somewhere else. How many of them landed at VT? Beyond that. VT took 12 PSU transfers in the portal. According the 247 11 of the 12 (including both Grunk and Reynolds) rated lower as a tranfer portal prospect than they did as HS school prospect. The exception was Keon Wylie. Yes, Franklin gutted the PSU team. BTW, that was sarcasm.

I defended Franklin for years, but all I know is the 2025 team was not playing well early in the first three games they won. Really got dominated by Oregon, and stayed in the game because Allar basically on his own started generating offense in the 4th quarter. They fell apart against UCLA and Northwestern. It was time Franklin left, and i think it has worked out best for everyone.

 

[PSU89er]

They can all play at the college level. My mistake, I thought we were talking about building a roster that could achieve "excellence at the highest level."

So am I. I'm just explaining that there is a smart way to do it rather that just blowing money on high level recruits, which doesn't seem to work all that great. At least A&M hasn't broken through yet and they have been spending money like a drunken sailor of HS recruits for several years now.

 

[rigi19041]

I think part of Campbell's problem is that he doesn't have the connections with high schools in our primary recruiting region (PA, MD, NJ, VA). Those things take time to develop. Franklin had some of those in place when he came in because he coached at Maryland. Coaches start developing relationships with these kids when they're sophomores and juniors. I don't think Campbell has had much contact with many kids in the northeast until now.

Is he not allowed to recruit the Midwest where he does have connections? Could he have not hired more coaches with connections to pa, MD, NJ and VA? That was a choice.

 

[Marshall2323]

So am I. I'm just explaining that there is a smart way to do it rather that just blowing money on high level recruits, which doesn't seem to work all that great. At least A&M hasn't broken through yet and they have been spending money like a drunken sailor of HS recruits for several years now.

Each year can yield but 1 national champion. Lot's of circumstances are in play when a team goes on such a run. Small market teams in baseball can compete from time to time, Big payrolls can fail (Mets) It's not unheard of. But on the other hand, not spending will more likely make you the Pittsburgh Pirates.
For many of the past dozen years, PSU has had equal talent or close at perhaps 7-8 or 9 positions on the field. It's those 5 star gifted athletes that make the difference. PSU can be frugal and play the Indiana manuscript and hope for a miracle.
The roster this year is fine with the schedule. 2027-8 is going to be very disappointing if more talent isn't added to the roster.
If you don't have corners that can cover elite WRs or tackles that can't block a relentless edge rusher....the BWICAC will once again claim, it's all about coaching.
Finally, If PSU isn't in the top 15 in roster compensation, what's the excuse?

 

[Marshall2323]

Is he not allowed to recruit the Midwest where he does have connections? Could he have not hired more coaches with connections to pa, MD, NJ and VA? That was a choice.

I hear our currency works in the midwest.

 

[NittanyLionRoar]

Franklin coudn't beat Ohio State. Period. Of course no one else in conference does either (except Connor Stalions).
He and PSU needed a "fresh start." Kraft and Franklin had a death feud anyway.....one had to go. It is actually quite possible that in 3-4-5 years reasonable people will see the change as good for everyone.
But, there are many frightened PSU fans here that need to denigrate Franklin, largely to create breathing room should Campbell get off to a less than stellar start.

Didn’t Franklin also lose to UCLA? And Northwestern? And Illinois? And Iowa? And Indiana? And Maryland? And Nebraska? And Minnesota? And Michigan State?

 

[Marshall2323]

Think of all the PSU starters that went in the portal and went somewhere else. How many of them landed at VT? Beyond that. VT took 12 PSU transfers in the portal. According the 247 11 of the 12 (including both Grunk and Reynolds) rated lower as a tranfer portal prospect than they did as HS school prospect. The exception was Keon Wylie. Yes, Franklin gutted the PSU team. BTW, that was sarcasm.

I defended Franklin for years, but all I know is the 2025 team was not playing well early in the first three games they won. Really got dominated by Oregon, and stayed in the game because Allar basically on his own started generating offense in the 4th quarter. They fell apart against UCLA and Northwestern. It was time Franklin left, and i think it has worked out best for everyone.

I haven't seen anyone say that a change in leadership was not needed. Neither you nor I know why players went where they went. If Campbell goes to Tennessee or whatever, the brain trust here declares, "he wasn't worth the money." So I guess it's incomprehensible that each HC and program make similar judgements?
Just wait to see how Becht pans out. There won't be any second guessers if he is subpar and Grunk lights it up?Franklin did indeed gut the team. Took virtually every 2026 recruit of value. Don't think that isn't going to leave a mark in 2027 and beyond.
As for those who stayed and might have considered transferring to VT.....perhaps look at their compensation? Those 4 are about the only ones Franklin would have wanted and didn't get.
We can debate till the cows come home. Franklin is gone......Campbell and Kraft are at PSU. and unless there is an uptick in talent acquisition, the results won't improve.

 

[Alphalion75]

Didn’t Franklin also lose to UCLA? And Northwestern? And Illinois? And Iowa? And Indiana? And Maryland? And Nebraska? And Minnesota? And Michigan State?

Heck....Franklin lost to Temple.

 

[RyanSnyder]

 

[Marshall2323]

Didn’t Franklin also lose to UCLA? And Northwestern? And Illinois? And Iowa? And Indiana? And Maryland? And Nebraska? And Minnesota? And Michigan State?

Yes, he did. 104-45 at PSU. Replaced by a coach who was 72-55 and lost to powers like Louisana Tech, Ohio, Memphis, Northern Iowa and just last year lost to powerhouse Colorado.

 

[LMTLION]

Well, that’s weird, some of our guys got rating bumps today. Our former three star OT is now their highest rated player on 247. I have told the stargazer’s here to wait for the process to finish. Judging a class based on an early season rating is not how this works in recruiting.

https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/season/2027-football/commits/

 

[Marshall2323]

Heck....Franklin lost to Temple.

How about Northern Iowa? LOL

 

[Marshall2323]

Well, that’s weird, some of our guys got rating bumps today. Our former three star OT is now their highest rated player on 247. I have told the stargazer’s here to wait for the process to finish. Judging a class based on an early season rating is not how this works in recruiting.

https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/season/2027-football/commits/

Do only PSU commits get bumped up?

 

[Patterson825]

Can you guys shut the hell up about Franklin already. Holy **** stick to recruiting

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Quite the bump for some of our guys on 247's updated rankings...

OT Tarawallie up to #67 (can Clanton recruit now?)
WR Dean up to #126
RB Gibson up to #103 (#6 overall RB)

Now 7 total 4*s and the #7 overall class.

 

[bdgan]

Franklin coudn't beat Ohio State. Period. Of course no one else in conference does either (except Connor Stalions).

OSU is the biggest part but not the only part.

Franklin was 1-11 vs OSU but just think if we hadn't blown large Q4 leads to lose by 1 pt? That would have made him 3-9 which is at least respectable.

What about leading ND in the playoffs only to see a defender fall down to allow them to tie then a horrible late INT to allow them to win.

There was a Michigan game where PSU was in charge until 2 DBs ran into each other allowing Um to score late and win.

PSU had a 15 point lead over USC in the Rose Bowl before collapsing, including a horrible INT that put USC in position for a game winning FG.

An undefeated PSU team blew a 17-3 lead vs Iowa after Clifford got hurt and Franklin didn't have a backup prepared who could get the snap count correct.

Last year PSU had a 7 pt lead over Oregon before fading late.

Two years ago PSU had a 10 pt lead over OSU but twice couldn't score from inside the 5. Then another late INT. Or when we had a chance to win but called a run to Sanders on 4th and 5?

You can argue that top opponents had better players. Most of the time they made the plays late and PSU didn't. I think PSU's players lacked the confidence when big games were on the line and I think that starts with the coaching staff. Franklin's butt cheeks awfully tight in those games.

 

[bdgan]

Think of all the PSU starters that went in the portal and went somewhere else. How many of them landed at VT? Beyond that. VT took 12 PSU transfers in the portal. According the 247 11 of the 12 (including both Grunk and Reynolds) rated lower as a tranfer portal prospect than they did as HS school prospect. The exception was Keon Wylie. Yes, Franklin gutted the PSU team. BTW, that was sarcasm.

I defended Franklin for years, but all I know is the 2025 team was not playing well early in the first three games they won. Really got dominated by Oregon, and stayed in the game because Allar basically on his own started generating offense in the 4th quarter. They fell apart against UCLA and Northwestern. It was time Franklin left, and i think it has worked out best for everyone.

Agreed but I think the way it was handled was horrible.

 

[PSUForever]

Franklin would still be at Penn State if he bothered coaching last season. He didn’t, he deserved to be fired.

I'm glad it happened. The worst would have been we sneak into the playoffs and lose a first rd game. Then Franklin weasels his way to a contract extension and the next time we win a big game is 2040.

 

[Alphalion75]

How about Northern Iowa? LOL

I don't believe Franklin coached against Northern Iowa.

 

[psu0408]

Can you guys shut the hell up about Franklin already. Holy **** stick to recruiting

Seriously. You could put Jimmy Sexton and Fumi in a room together and they couldn’t conjure up this level of pro Franklin propaganda.

 

[rigi19041]

Heck....Franklin lost to Temple.

JF inherited sanctions from. joe. Psu only had 8 scholly OL in camp that spring. Psu had two DTs starting on the OL.

Joe lost to toledo when he had a full roster.

 

[Nits1989]

Lets get back on track. There were two more predictions in favor of PSU for Taylor and Hall. As someone noted, the other site gave nice bumps to the ratings of several PSU commits, including an OT who is now top ten for OTs.

 

[LMTLION]

This is so true. The only fear about finding these hidden gems is their nil value ends up skyrocketing. I would prefer they stay lower rated! Campbell deserves credit for talent evaluation. They had to do it at ISU without the resources there.

 

[LMTLION]

Quite the bump for some of our guys on 247's updated rankings...

OT Tarawallie up to #67 (can Clanton recruit now?)
WR Dean up to #126
RB Gibson up to #103 (#6 overall RB)

Now 7 total 4*s and the #7 overall class.

Interestingly, Dean is the 18th wr and Taylor is 19 wr on 247.