Penn State's 2026 Recruiting Class Is on the Brink of an Unprecedented Collapse
Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is teetering on the edge of history-and not the kind you want to be a part of. What was once a 28-player class full of promise has been reduced to a handful of verbal commitments, and even those are hanging by a thread.
Right now, five players are still technically committed to the Nittany Lions. But here’s the catch: every single one of them is exploring other options. That’s not just a red flag-it’s a full-blown alarm.
Let’s start with the headliner. Four-star safety Matt Sieg, out of Fort Cherry High School near Pittsburgh, was Penn State’s highest-rated commit.
The day after James Franklin was fired, Sieg made it clear he was reopening his recruitment-even while saying he remained committed. That’s the kind of statement that usually signals a foot out the door.
Then there’s Jackson Ford, another in-state product from Malvern, Pennsylvania. Ford had previously said he planned to sign with Penn State on December 3.
But after taking a visit to Virginia Tech this past weekend-and with no head coach currently in place in Happy Valley-it’s fair to question whether that plan is still intact. Ford hasn’t decommitted, but the uncertainty is real.
Terry Wiggins, a linebacker from Coatesville, is also still on the commitment list, but he’s casting a wide net. Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia are all in the mix. That’s not the behavior of someone locked in.
Tyson Harley, a four-star linebacker from Washington D.C., is eyeing Rutgers and Virginia Tech, and according to reports, he might wait until February to make a final decision. That delay could be telling-he’s clearly not ready to put pen to paper just yet.
Amauri Polydor, a three-star corner from Baltimore’s powerhouse St. Frances Academy, is also looking elsewhere. Virginia Tech and Colorado are on his radar.
So, what does all this mean? Unless something drastic happens in the next 24 hours, Penn State is on track to sign zero recruits during the early signing period.
That’s not just unusual-it’s potentially historic. As far as anyone can tell, no Power Four program has ever closed out an early signing day with no signees.
The closest comparison? SMU and Washington once signed just 10 players in a class.
But zero? That would be a first.
It’s clear that the coaching change is the driving force here. These players committed to play for James Franklin.
Once he was let go, the foundation of the class crumbled. That’s not uncommon in college football-but a complete wipeout like this?
That’s uncharted territory.
There’s still a late signing period in February, and Penn State could pull a few names before then, especially once a new head coach is in place. But as it stands right now, the Nittany Lions are staring down a recruiting class with no signatures-a stunning development for a program that’s been a perennial Big Ten contender.
Crazy times in State College.