There may be a new coaching staff in Happy Valley, but the mission remains the same: keep elite in-state talent close to home. And when it comes to the 2027 class, few names carry more weight than Matthew Gregory.
The wide receiver out of Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pa., has long been a top priority for Penn State.
That didn’t change when Matt Campbell took the reins in December. In fact, if anything, the pursuit has only intensified.
Gregory was the first recruit new wide receivers coach Noah Pauley extended an offer to after joining Campbell in State College from Iowa State. That’s not just a symbolic gesture - it’s a statement. Pauley and Gregory have already started building a strong rapport, and that relationship took another step forward during Gregory’s recent visit to campus for Penn State’s junior day.
By all accounts, Gregory felt the love. He spent a significant chunk of his time with Pauley, who’s quickly making an impression not just as a recruiter, but as a coach players want to learn from. The early connection between the two could prove pivotal as Gregory’s recruitment continues to heat up.
Penn State knows what it has in its backyard - a top-100 national prospect with size, speed, and polish well beyond his years. And while there will be no shortage of programs trying to lure Gregory away, the Nittany Lions are making it clear: they’re not going to let one of Pennsylvania’s best leave without a fight.
Campbell and his staff are still getting settled, but their approach is already resonating. Prioritizing a player like Gregory right out of the gate sends a clear message - the new era in State College isn’t about rebuilding. It’s about reloading, with homegrown stars leading the way.