Penn State is still trying to keep itself in the hunt for Kemon Spell, even if the odds look steep.
According to Steve Wiltfong of Rivals.com, Spell remains committed to Georgia and has set up his next trip to Athens. But the Nittany Lions are still “working to stay alive” in the race, along with Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans and, wait for it, James Franklin’s Virginia Tech Hokies.
That Franklin note matters because of the history between the coach and the five-star back. Franklin was the first college coach Spell pledged to, landing the commitment in August of his sophomore year at McKeesport High School. Spell stayed locked in with Penn State until two days before Franklin was fired last October.
Spell’s offer sheet is loaded. Florida, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin are all among the schools that have come through.
If Penn State somehow pulls Spell back into the fold, it would be a massive win for the Matt Campbell era and one of the biggest recruiting victories in program history. “Generational” gets tossed around too easily, but Spell fits that kind of billing for a Western PA product. He’s ranked No. 6 nationally in the Rivals Industry Rankings, No. 1 among running backs and No. 2 in Pennsylvania, behind offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller of Coatesville, who sits No. 2 overall in the country.
For now, Penn State’s 2027 class has one running back committed: three-star Chukwuma Odoh of Paramus, New Jersey. That group is ranked 20th nationally in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
In Other News...
Penn States Offensive Struggles Make One Former QB Hard To Ignore
Penn State has spent plenty of time looking for answers on offense, and in the middle of that conversation, a familiar name keeps surfacing. Ethan Grunkemeyer, who started for the Nittany Lions last season before moving on to Virginia Tech, has quickly become one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the ACC, leading the conference in completions while helping the Hokies get out to a 4-0 start.
What stands out most is the way Grunkemeyer is being described by opposing coaches, who have praised his decision-making and his ability to protect the ball. For Penn State, it is the kind of development that can make an offseason transfer look even more notable, especially when the Nittany Lions are still sorting through their own identity on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penn State Star Faces A New NFL Twist Fans Didn't Expect
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The move also adds another layer to an already familiar pipeline between two of the leagues most recognizable front offices, since it is the third transaction in the past two years between Steelers general manager Omar Khan and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. For Penn State fans, it is a notable twist for one of the programs most visible recent pros, and one that now sends his next chapter to a new contender with plenty of attention still attached. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Secondary Faces One Big Concern Before Northwestern Finale
Penn States secondary got a little more attention on the eve of its Northwestern finale when the Big Tens second injury availability report listed cornerback Daryus Dixson as questionable. Dixson was injured earlier but still practiced, which at least gives the Nittany Lions some reason to think he could be part of the equation, even as the defense prepares for one more conference test with the regular season winding down.
The broader availability picture is less clean for Penn State, with wide receiver Koby Howard and edge rusher Max Granville among the players ruled out, and Granville done for the season. Northwestern has its own concerns on the report, including tight end Luke Dehnicke as doubtful and defensive back Damon Walters as questionable, leaving both teams to sort through late-week uncertainty before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]