Matt Campbell is setting his sights high in the 2027 recruiting race, aiming to flip top prospects already committed to national powerhouses. Penn State is making waves with Michigan commit Lou Esposito and now has secured an official visit from Alabama commit Colt Lumpris.
Lumpris, a 6-foot-6 tight end from New Jersey, is ranked 15th nationally in his position according to 247Sports Composite. Known for his potential to be a matchup nightmare, Lumpris is part of Kalen DeBoer’s 2027 class but is exploring his options with a busy official visit schedule.
He’s slated to visit Happy Valley from June 19-21, following a trip to Alabama from May 29-31. Andrew Bone of BamaOnLine reports that Lumpris may add even more visits to his itinerary.
Matt Campbell is diving into the recruiting big leagues
At Iowa State, Campbell didn’t often compete with the likes of Michigan and Alabama for top-tier recruits. Last year, DeBoer and Alabama flipped Jett Thomalla, then a three-star QB, from Iowa State. Thomalla has since climbed to four-star status and even earned a five-star rating from Rivals.
Now at Penn State, Campbell is armed with resources and recruiting power like never before, taking on recent national champions head-to-head. His success in these battles will be crucial in setting the trajectory for the Nittany Lions under his leadership.
Campbell is known for building programs, having led Iowa State to new heights during his decade-long tenure. His knack for developing three-star talent into NFL prospects, like Brock Purdy, is well-recognized. However, to compete for Big Ten titles and national championships, Campbell will need to dive into the four-and-five-star recruiting pool.
While DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan have consistently put together top-five classes in Tuscaloosa, Campbell has a real shot at flipping Lumpris. The proximity to Penn State and recent staff changes at Alabama could work in his favor.
Lumpris initially committed to Alabama when Bryan Ellis was the tight ends coach. With Ellis now promoted to QBs coach and Richard Owens stepping in from Louisville with an O-line background, the fit for Lumpris, who’s more of an oversized wide receiver, might not be as seamless as before.