Penn State’s recruiting picture has turned messy fast in the 2027 cycle, but the Nittany Lions do have at least one bright spot to point to as they try to steady the ship.
The rough stretch has been hard to miss. Since the start of June, Matt Campbell has watched four-star wide receiver Jamir Dean head to Georgia, four-star wideout Deshawn Hall pick Auburn over Penn State, and in-state blue-chip receiver Khalil Taylor slip away as well. Then came another hit: four-star running back Aiden Gibson flipped his commitment to Rutgers.
That kind of run naturally brings scrutiny, and Campbell is getting plenty of it. Still, the future isn’t all bad news for Penn State.
The encouraging sign comes in the 2028 class, where the Nittany Lions already have a key piece in place with four-star quarterback James Armstrong. The Pennsylvania native gives Campbell a needed foothold with in-state recruiting, and he’s doing more than just wearing the right jersey on paper. Armstrong has already taken it upon himself to reach out to other blue-chip prospects from Pennsylvania, pitching Penn State and trying to keep top talent home.
That kind of initiative matters to Campbell, who has made leadership a priority in his quarterback room. It’s one thing to find that in senior transfer Rocco Becht. It’s another to see it from a player who hasn’t even finished high school yet.
Armstrong isn’t the first commitment in the 2028 cycle, but he’s the one who stands out as a real statement piece for what Campbell is trying to build next.
The next major name on Penn State’s board is four-star edge rusher George Parkinson IV. Landing him would be a huge in-state win, though the Nittany Lions will have to beat out serious competition to get it done.
There’s also some welcome good news on the injury front, which is exactly what Penn State fans needed to hear as the 2026 season starts to come into focus.
Linebacker Tony Rojas is back in the mix, and both strength coach Reid Kagy and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn sound eager to see what he can do on Saturdays. Lynn was especially struck by his size, saying, "I had no idea he was that big," to On3.
Defensive end Max Granville is another returning player worth watching. A lower body injury wiped out his 2025 season, and his freshman year in 2024 offered only limited action, so he still hasn’t had the chance to fully show off the four-star ability that made him such an intriguing prospect.
Kagy said Granville’s recovery has been impressive and added that he and the staff are "excited for what he's gonna do this fall."
Penn State basketball also has a notable date on the calendar. On Nov. 8, the Nittany Lions will meet Pittsburgh in Philadelphia at The Palestra, marking the 150th meeting between the teams and the building’s 100th anniversary.
Mike Rhoades called the matchup a fitting celebration of the venue and the rivalry: "Games like this are what college basketball is all about: great history, passionate fan bases and high-level competition," head coach Mike Rhoades said in Penn State's press release. "The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to celebrate its 100th anniversary while renewing an in-state rivalry for the 150th time makes this a special event for everyone connected to our program.
We know there will be tremendous energy in the building, and we’re excited for our players to experience that atmosphere as they represent Penn State. We can’t wait to take the floor in Philadelphia and compete.”
Penn State’s connection to The Palestra runs deep. The program played its first-ever game there, and it heads into this one with a 76-73 edge in the series. The Nittany Lions are also 25-39 all-time at the venue and have won five of their last eight games there.
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