Penn State may be on the verge of landing one of the biggest recruiting wins of the 2027 cycle - again.
Five-star running back Kemon Spell, the top-ranked RB in the country and the No. 1 overall prospect out of Pennsylvania, is back on the Nittany Lions’ radar in a major way. Spell initially committed to Penn State in 2024 but later decommitted, opening the door for other programs to make their pitch. With James Franklin out and Matt Campbell now leading the charge in Happy Valley, the recruitment has taken a dramatic turn - and Penn State is right back in the thick of it.
Since taking the reins, Campbell has wasted no time making Spell a top priority. That makes sense - you don’t let a player of this caliber, especially one from your own backyard, slip away without a fight. Spell is scheduled to return to campus this weekend, and this visit could carry serious weight in shaping his final decision.
Recruiting insiders are already starting to lean Penn State’s way. Both 247Sports’ Brian Dohn and On3’s Steve Wiltfong have logged predictions in favor of the Nittany Lions, signaling growing momentum for Campbell and his staff. And when two of the most plugged-in analysts in the recruiting world are lining up behind the same program, it’s usually worth paying attention.
Now, let’s be clear: landing Spell would be a game-changer for Campbell’s early tenure. This isn’t just about adding a five-star talent - it’s about sending a message.
Keeping elite, in-state players home is how programs build sustainable success, and Spell fits that mold perfectly. At 5-stars, No. 1 at his position, and a top-10 national prospect, he’s the kind of back who could anchor an offense from day one.
He’s explosive, shifty, and powerful - a complete package who already looks like a future college star.
But even if Spell does commit this weekend, the work won’t be over. Programs like Notre Dame and Ohio State have been heavily involved in his recruitment and won’t back off anytime soon.
That’s life when you’re chasing the best of the best - verbal commitments are just one step in a long process. Still, getting Spell back in the fold would be a massive win for Penn State, and it would give Campbell exactly the kind of early recruiting momentum every new coach dreams of.
So, is this the weekend it all comes together? We’ll see. But one thing’s for sure: all eyes in State College - and across college football - will be watching closely.