What a crazy week it has been.
Penn State has been getting ready for a dance with No. 1 Oregon in Indianapolis for the past several days after securing an unlikely trip to the Big Ten Championship on Saturday. The Nittany Lions will compete for their second Big Ten Championship under James Franklin this Saturday. The official College Football Playoff seeding for Penn State will then be revealed on Sunday. Yes, Monday is also the formal opening day of the transfer portal.
And thrust into the center of all that mayhem? High school prospects in the class of 2025 will begin their early signing period on Wednesday.
However, the traditional Signing Day is long gone.Even if a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, it is no longer a legally binding contract because the NCAA eliminated it in October. For instance, athletes may sign up early in January and finish their official NCAA compliance paperwork then. So, throughout the spring, keep a look out for this class of 2025.
Having said that, Penn State currently boasts a class that is both fascinating and full of excellent players. Franklin’s team is ranked fifth in the Big Ten and 18th overall, trailing USC (16th), Ohio State (third), Oregon (7th), and Michigan (8th). As of right now, the Nittany Lions have 25 commitments in nine different states.
Watch out for the following on Wednesday and beyond.
Chaz Coleman, a recruit from Penn State, comes to watch the White Out game against Washington on November 9, 2024.
[email protected] Joe HermittPennLive
Would any of Penn State’s commitments be lost?
With the enormous effect of NIL money, recruiting is more difficult than ever. Jayden Woods, an edge rusher, flipped last week after a late visit to Gainesville, costing Penn State its third-best prospect.
On the whole, however, this organization appears to have a strong core. Chaz Coleman, an edge rusher from Warren, Ohio, seems to have saved Penn State from calamity. Ten days after Coleman committed to Penn State in early November, Ohio State made a late offer.
Then, before the regular season ended, he was expected to make an official visit to Columbus, but that never happened. Despite being a quarterback in high school, Coleman, a four-star and the 12th best player in Ohio, has emerged as a late-rising edge prospect because to his exceptional quickness and 6-5 stature.
Once more, hiring practices are always evolving. It is likely that Penn State will receive all 25 of the current commits to Happy Valley, though, as there haven’t been any other significant late changes with this class.
On October 4, 2024, Andrew Olesh (8) of Southern Lehigh finds a running lane against Tamaqua.Chris Shipley is a contributor to lehighvalleylive.com.
Is it possible for Penn State to reverse a signing day (week?)?
There are definitely flips out there. It will be day-by-day as to whether Penn State closes the deal on any of them.
The Nittany Lions and their gifted four-star quarterback, Bryce Baker, are gaining significant traction. Prior to the administration’s decision that coach Mack Brown would not return in 2025, Baker, who had committed to North Carolina, appeared to be sold on the Tar Heels. For the Maryland game, Baker therefore made an impromptu formal trip to Penn State.
Since he is the eighth-ranked quarterback in the country, it will take a lot to bring him to Happy Valley, but it would be a fantastic turnaround for Penn State. The future of Penn State’s only quarterback in the class, three-star Bekkem Kritza, is still up in the air.
The tight end Possibly Penn State’s most prominent flip target is Andrew Olesh of Southern Lehigh, Pennsylvania. Olesh, Pennsylvania’s top player, has committed to Michigan. Additionally, the Wolverines recently secured the commitment of quarterback Bryce Underwood, ranked #1 in the country, which may help retain Olesh in Ann Arbor.
Olesh traveled to Oregon over the weekend, but the Ducks may not have been successful in their pursuit of him because they are openly pursuing four-star Kansas State pledge Linkon Cure at tight end. Does that give the Lions, who are from there, a chance? Perhaps not, but Franklin will not give up until the documents are signed.
Additionally, it appears likely that another tight end may attract the staff’s interest if Penn State is unable to sign Olesh. Brian Kortovich, a three-star Purdue recruit from Cleveland, Ohio, might be that. He came to see the game in Maryland.
High four-star cornerback Brandon Finney, who is committed to Oregon and is a graduate of Maryland’s McDonogh School, which frequently produces Penn State talent, has been the subject of cooling rumors. The same is true for South Carolina commit Lex Cyrus, a four-star wide receiver from Susquehanna Township. Although it’s not impossible, it appears very improbable that Penn State will be able to sign either player.
On May 19, 2024, Zahir Mathis, a defensive end for Imhotep Charter, practices at the Under Armour Next Camp Series at the Waterfront HQ Campus in Baltimore.PenNLIVE | Evan Whiten
What is happening to Zahir Mathis?
Outstanding Zahir Mathis, a defensive end with the Philadelphia Imhotep Charter, is once again available. Mathis decommitted on November 18 after pledging to Ohio State in January.
With a surprising official visit over the summer, Penn State, who has had a strong desire for Mathis for a while, appeared to pick up steam. Mathis has stated on social media that he will not be signing in the early period, so fans will have to wait impatiently for this one. Regardless of where he signs, Mathis will have to enroll in the summer because Imhotep Charter does not permit early graduation, so there is really no incentive for him to do so.
Marques Hagans, coach of the Penn State wide receivers, spoke to the media on December 20, 2023, National Signing Day.
[email protected] Joe [email protected] Joe Hermitt
An audacious forecast for the class of 2025?
All of the (justifiable) discussion regarding Penn State’s receiving corps is heard by Franklin and Marques Hagans, the wide receivers coach. In light of this, they have made a concerted effort to locate receivers wherever possible. Although there is little evidence to support this theory, I believe Penn State will add at least one more wide receiver, and it will most likely be an unexpected flip.
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