Kemon Spell made headlines early in the 2027 recruiting cycle when he gave Penn State a verbal commitment back in August 2024-before he’d even played a down of his sophomore high school season. That kind of early pledge from a five-star running back out of McKeesport, PA, was a massive win for the Nittany Lions at the time.
But in the ever-shifting world of college football recruiting, early commitments often come with a ticking clock. And sure enough, 14 months later, Spell backed off his pledge-just days after Penn State parted ways with longtime head coach James Franklin.
Now, though, things might be shifting again.
With Matt Campbell officially installed as the new head coach in Happy Valley, Spell seems open to a reunion. In a recent conversation, he called Campbell “a great hire” and made it clear he’s interested in learning more about the new staff and whether Penn State is still a viable option for his future.
That’s a notable change in tone from what Spell was saying just a few months ago. At the time of his decommitment, he was blunt about his frustrations with the direction of the program.
“I want to be in a winning program, to be honest,” Spell said in an interview with On3. “They can’t win big games, and that’s something I want to do.”
Franklin’s firing, he said, was the final straw.
Spell also cited the departure of running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider-who left for Notre Dame-as another key factor in his decision to reopen his recruitment. And while Penn State was once the frontrunner, the competition is fierce now.
Programs like Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, USC, and Notre Dame are all in the mix. That’s a who’s-who of college football powerhouses, and it means Campbell and his new general manager, Derek Hoodjer, are going to have to work overtime to bring Spell back into the fold.
Recruiting has never been Campbell’s calling card-at least not at the elite level. During his ten-year run at Iowa State, he built a reputation for player development and maximizing under-the-radar talent.
But the Cyclones were never in the mix for five-star prospects like Spell. That’s not necessarily a knock-it’s just the reality of what Iowa State was working with.
Now, with the resources of Penn State and the Big Ten behind him, the question is whether Campbell can elevate his recruiting game to match the program’s ambitions.
And make no mistake: landing Kemon Spell would be a statement.
Spell isn’t just a top running back-he’s the top running back in the 2027 class according to On3, and a consensus top-10 national prospect. In Pennsylvania, he’s the No. 1 player in the state, and he headlines what’s shaping up to be one of the most talent-rich in-state classes in recent memory. According to the 247Sports Composite, Spell is one of four Pennsylvania players ranked in the national top 100-and one of 13 in the top 300.
That’s the kind of talent base that can change the trajectory of a program.
For Campbell and Hoodjer, the opportunity is clear. If they can lock down Spell and build momentum with the rest of the in-state class, it could lay the groundwork for a future championship contender. But if they miss on Spell-and others like him-it would represent a major missed opportunity, especially in a year when Pennsylvania is loaded with blue-chip prospects.
Spell hasn’t recommitted yet, but the door is open. And for Penn State, that’s at least a start.