Penn State got a much-needed lift on Saturday when three-star running back Jordan Hall picked the Nittany Lions over Ohio State and Missouri.
Hall, a Cincinnati native, had been trending toward the Buckeyes after backing off his commitment to Miami (OH) earlier this fall. But after Matt Campbell made a Friday night visit, Hall announced for Penn State the next day, giving the Nittany Lions a significant win on the recruiting trail.
The 6-foot, 205-pound back is ranked as the No. 60 running back in the 2027 class, though his stock has been climbing fast during his senior season. Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Maryland and Louisville also entered the mix, and Hall now looks like the kind of late riser who could end up making an early impact if he develops as expected.
Penn State already had one running back committed in the class, and Hall gives the Nittany Lions a second. He joins 6-foot, 220-pound three-star Chukwuma Odoh from New Jersey, who has remained locked in since four-star Aiden Gibson flipped from Penn State to Rutgers this summer and reclassified to the 2026 class.
That second addition matters. Penn State had already been eyeing two backs in the 2027 class, and the need for more depth has only grown with the run game’s struggles this fall. Carson Hansen, James Peoples and Quinton Martin Jr. are all averaging fewer than four yards per carry through Penn State’s 0-4 start to Big Ten play.
There’s blame to spread around, too. The left side of the offensive line has been part of the problem, but the backfield hasn’t held up either. Hansen, Peoples and Martin have all fallen short of expectations, and Martin appears likely to transfer out of the program.
Penn State could still look to the portal for help, but rebuilding the pipeline with high school backs remains important, especially at a position where true freshmen can contribute quickly.
For Campbell, this is also a notable head-to-head recruiting win. Ohio State had been in position, and Ryan Day’s group still does not have a running back committed in the 2027 class after missing on five-star David Gabriel Georges. Landing Hall gives Penn State a needed edge in a recruiting cycle where every addition matters.
The Nittany Lions are back up to 21 commitments in the 2027 class, a group that has hovered around the top 20 for much of the cycle. If Blake Betton does flip to Wisconsin, that number will drop, and Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer will have more work to do. A class of just 20 players would not be enough to lift the program’s talent baseline.
So while Hall’s ranking may not jump off the page yet, the commitment gives Penn State something it badly needed: momentum. And with early signing day still ahead, Campbell has plenty of work left to keep this class together and add more pieces.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Never Expected A Beaver Stadium Game To Feel Like This
Penn States next trip to Beaver Stadium has taken on an unusual feel, with tickets for the Purdue game showing up at prices that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago. Depending on the vendor, seats are listed starting around $9 to $11, a sign of how differently this matchup is being viewed compared with the kind of marquee fall Saturday that usually brings the place to life.
The backdrop is a Penn State program trying to steady itself in Matt Campbells first year, while Purdue enters with a reminder of how long it has been since the Boilermakers last beat the Nittany Lions, back in 2004. Even with the schedule already stretching into 2026, this one has turned into a strange snapshot of where Penn State stands right now, and how quickly the mood around a game can change when expectations do. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Comes Out Of Its Bye With A Bigger Problem Than Purdue
Penn State comes out of its bye week facing more than just the need to shake off a disappointing loss to USC. The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium for their first home game since that setback, and the matchup with Purdue arrives at a time when the bigger questions are about how this team wants to look and who will define the offense going forward.
The quarterback situation remains at the center of the conversation, but the issues around it reach deeper than one position. Under coach Matt Campbell, Penn State is still trying to settle on an identity, while Purdue enters with some real momentum of its own and an offense that has shown more bite lately. The betting line and ticket availability suggest plenty of interest, but for Penn State the more pressing issue is whether the bye week brought answers or just more time to think about the same ones. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces One Big Doubt Despite Purdue Confidence
Penn State heads into its meeting with Purdue carrying a record that has made every remaining Big Ten game feel like a chance to steady the season. The schedule has eased a bit, and the Nittany Lions are still favored by more than a touchdown, but that number comes with plenty of caveats after an offense that has struggled to finish drives and a defense that has not always been able to paper over the issues.
The biggest question is whether the offense can finally turn trips inside the 20 into touchdowns instead of settling for frustration. One potential boost could come from Koby Howard returning to the mix, which gives Penn State another piece to lean on as it tries to find a cleaner rhythm, but the bigger test is whether the Nittany Lions can show they are more than just a heavy favorite with lingering problems. [Read more 🡒]