Penn State’s quarterback board for the Class of 2027 has turned into a fast-moving target, and the latest name in the mix is one with a Boston College commitment already attached to it.
Ben Rolapp, a three-star quarterback from the Brunswick School in Connecticut, said Wednesday night on social media that Penn State had extended him an offer. Rolapp posted that after what he called “a great conversation” with @CoachMC_PSU, he was “blessed to announce I have received an offer from @PennStateFball!”
Rolapp committed to Boston College in June, but the Nittany Lions aren’t the only program in pursuit. He also holds offers from UConn, Delaware, Liberty, Miami (OH), Penn, Toledo and Tulane.
The 2025 numbers explain why he’s drawing attention. Rolapp finished with 20 touchdown passes and 2,268 yards, completing 129 of 191 passes per 247Sports. His father, Brian, is the current CEO of the PGA Tour.
Penn State’s interest comes after a recent shakeup at the position. Will Wood had been pledged to the Nittany Lions for more than five months before announcing on Oct. 19 that he had flipped to Boston College. That move lined up with Wood’s connection to BC coach and former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, as well as the fact that Wood is from Westwood, Massachusetts, which is less than a half hour from Chestnut Hill.
But it left Penn State without a quarterback committed in the 2027 class, and the Nittany Lions went searching quickly. They made a push for Missouri quarterback commit Braylen Warren, with coach Matt Campbell even traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, during Penn State’s bye week to offer him in person. Warren, though, said he would remain committed to Missouri, sending Penn State back to the drawing board.
While the 2027 picture is unsettled, Penn State already has a major piece in place for 2028. Hopewell’s James “Booboo” Armstrong is committed to the Nittany Lions and checks in as a four-star prospect, the No. 10 quarterback in the country in his class, the No. 3 overall player in Pennsylvania and the No. 145 overall prospect, according to 247Sports composite ratings.
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Penn State Hits A Crossroads As Pressure Starts Building Fast
Penn States midseason slide has turned the rest of the schedule into more than just a finishing stretch. A four-game losing streak has put the program in an uncomfortable spot under Matt Campbell, and the conversations inside the locker room are starting to sound less about where this team was expected to be and more about what it can still salvage from the season.
For players who have lived through similar stretches at both Penn State and Iowa State, the response has been to lean on those past challenges and keep the focus on the next game. The stakes go beyond the standings, too, because a stronger finish would give the program something to sell when it comes to future recruiting, even as the pressure around the current season keeps building. [Read more 🡒]