Isaiah Alvarez, the standout wide receiver from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., has been on the radar of major programs for a while now-and for good reason. The 6-foot-plus playmaker brings a blend of size, speed, and polish that makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the Northeast. And while Penn State was once firmly in the mix for Alvarez, the coaching shakeup in Happy Valley last fall added a layer of uncertainty to his recruitment.
Back in October, longtime head coach James Franklin was let go and eventually landed at Virginia Tech. That move naturally caused a ripple effect across Penn State’s recruiting board, and Alvarez-who had been high on the Nittany Lions-was left waiting to see how things would shake out under new leadership.
Enter Matt Campbell. The former Iowa State head coach took over in December, bringing with him a reputation for player development and a disciplined, physical brand of football. While Alvarez remained interested in what Penn State had to offer, it wasn’t immediately clear whether the new staff would prioritize him.
That changed on Friday.
Savon Huggins, now Penn State’s running backs coach, reached out and re-offered Alvarez-a strong signal that the new regime sees him as a fit in their evolving offensive blueprint. With the wide receivers coach position still vacant following Noah Pauley’s departure to the Green Bay Packers, Huggins made it a point to emphasize just how much the staff values Alvarez’s potential.
It’s a notable development in Alvarez’s recruitment. Getting re-offered by a program like Penn State-especially amid a transitional period-speaks volumes.
It shows that despite the coaching turnover, Alvarez’s tape still jumps off the screen. His route-running, body control, and ability to win contested catches make him a natural fit for a Big Ten offense that leans on physicality and precision.
Now, with Penn State back in the mix, the question becomes: how will Alvarez respond? He’s got options, and this latest move from the Nittany Lions just made things a lot more interesting.