Penn State’s first Big Ten win under Matt Campbell did more than put a mark in the conference standings. It also gave the Nittany Lions a chance to host a loaded group of recruits at Beaver Stadium for the 31-17 win over Purdue.
The headliner among the visitors was 4-star cornerback Kei’Shjuan Telfair, the top commit on hand Saturday night. A few possible flip targets were there too, getting a look at Penn State as it snapped its losing streak.
One of the most notable visitors was 247Sports 4-star defensive end Tristan Alexander, the No. 2 player in Pennsylvania’s 2029 class. For Penn State, that made for an important early shot to impress the Philadelphia native.
Four current Penn State commits were in the building to see the victory.
Telfair, ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 3 player in Ohio, the No. 10 cornerback and the No. 93 player nationally, is the only Penn State commit in the 2027 class to crack the top 100. He had not been back for a game since the Nittany Lions beat Marshall in Week 1.
Also back in Happy Valley was 3-star cornerback Dhillon McGee, who made his second straight trip to Beaver Stadium. McGee is ranked No. 62 in Texas and No. 50 among cornerbacks nationally after transferring this year to DeSoto High School.
3-star offensive lineman Jon Sassic was there for the third consecutive game. Sassic, who suffered a season-ending injury before his senior season at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, is ranked No. 28 in Pennsylvania and No. 60 among offensive linemen nationally.
The lone 2028 commit in attendance was 3-star kicker Carter Petri. He is the No. 2 kicker in the country and No. 7 player in New York, and Kohl’s Kicking gave him a 4.5-star rating after his performance at the 2026 Kohl's Eastern Spring Showcase.
Penn State also had a couple of visitors who could become flip candidates.
3-star wide receiver Arnold Mugerwa, committed to Rutgers since June 4, was in the stands. The Johnstown, Pennsylvania native has drawn Penn State’s attention, and the Nittany Lions are trending toward a flip after Campbell offered him on Oct. 25.
Mugerwa is ranked No. 15 in Pennsylvania and No. 64 among wide receivers nationally. He has 625 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 46 catches this season at Richland, along with one rushing touchdown.
3-star defensive lineman Jayden Paulino also made the trip to Beaver Stadium. He has been committed to Boston College since June 17, though Campbell has not offered the New Jersey native.
Alexander’s visit stood out for another reason: he got to watch Penn State’s pass rush get to Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne six times. The 2029 prospect is ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania, No. 8 among edge rushers and No. 67 nationally.
His production matches the billing. At Imhotep Charter, the fifth-ranked team in the state, Alexander has 58 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery touchdown this season.
Penn State offered Alexander on Oct. 20, and he now holds 19 offers overall, including Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Ole Miss.
In Other News...
Penn State Has One Big Reason To Watch Ohio State Tonight
The first College Football Playoff rankings arrive Tuesday night, and for Penn State fans the most interesting part may be less about the Nittany Lions themselves than where Ohio State lands in the opening top 25. The initial release always sets the tone for the weeks ahead, and this one comes with plenty of uncertainty as the selection committee weighs recent results, injuries and the kind of rsum quirks that can push teams up or down in a hurry.
Ohio State is part of a crowded discussion that also includes programs like Notre Dame, BYU, Kentucky and Alabama, which means every placement will be scrutinized for clues about how the committee is thinking. Penn State has its own reasons to pay attention, because the rankings often reveal whether the committee is leaning on record, eye test or the sort of caution that can keep a team from repeating past mistakes once the seasons biggest games start to sort everything out. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Recruiting Push Is Starting To Feel Uncomfortably Familiar
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The bigger issue is the kind of targets Penn State is chasing. The staff has been pursuing several recruits who are already committed elsewhere, often from programs with lower roster spending and lower rankings, which has made this feel like a familiar kind of recruiting battle. Wide receiver Arnold Mugerwa is among the notable names on that list, and his recruitment fits the larger theme for Penn State, which is still trying to add more firepower to a receiver group that remains a priority. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State's New-Look Roster Sent A Strong Early Message
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Roko Prkacin provided the loudest early statement, coming off the bench to score 24 points and set the tone for a group that also got important production from Brant Byers and Ivan Juric. For a team trying to establish its identity with a fresh look, the performance offered the kind of first impression that can matter well beyond one November game. [Read more 🡒]