I think that is a characteristic that many, if not all, coaches look for. Franklin did it with guys like Oweh and Vanover. But then again, when Franklin did it he was blasted by some on here for not getting “pure football players”. You just can’t win with some.
'25 (in-season) - '26 CFB Portal Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
It appears that we have about 22 uncertain players returning. If they all were to return it looks as though we would still need about 15 players or so to get to the 105 mark. It will be interesting to see who holds on and who else we will be able to add through the portal.
If you’re going to play for Penn State, you have to be committed.
Hopefully Penn State can scoop up some players from power teams. Still some spots to fill, especially edge or DE’s.
Maybe. But did he visit? I just find it interesting on a team that is in desperate need of a #1 WR and supposedly has no real lack of NIL funding anymore, that they can’t pull in a kid like this? That doesn’t feel like a good sign to me.
Nah, not a big deal. Some kids just dont like PSU, or got a better offer, or like the coach better or whatever. Surprised he didnt go with Hartline
I am a bit surprised he didn’t follow Hartline as well, but ND is a far better offer.
PS has 32 transfers in, 46 going out, about 22 grads / NFL draft, 12 incoming recruiting class.
Spreading NIL is difficult with these numbers.
The biggest problem is JF's staff told the 26 and 27 class that their scholarships were no longer
available, really one of the biggest jerk moves I've ever seen . That wiped 20- 30 players off the
board. I'm sure some roster players were told to move on also.
MC has to balance roster, recruiting 26 & 27, transfer portal, and current roster within this budget.
He also has to rely on his current football geographic knowledge.
Attaboy. Treat yourself to a latte and two scones.
33 portal players incoming so far and I think we at least are going to get to 40. 40, however is probably still about 5-10 players short, so if you always dreamed of playing football for Penn State and you want to walk on, this is the opportunity for a lifetime that will not come again. There will be more walk ons that make the squad this fall than probably ever before in history at Penn State.
This is a rebuild not a reload.... Franklin burned it all to the ground out of spite. I truly pray Penn State plays Va Tech next year in a bowl game and puts 70 points on the board.
This is a rebuild not a reload.... Franklin burned it all to the ground out of spite. I truly pray Penn State plays Va Tech next year in a bowl game and puts 70 points on the board.
he was money chasing. we didn’t want to get involved with that. He did not visit.
How do you know Franklin's staff advised the 26 and 27 classes that they no longer had scholarship offers?
This has been discussed extensively on multiple PSU message boards. Some of the parents of these kids reported it as well. Franklin was not a nice guy upon exit and had moles working in the program after his termination that subsequently moved with him to VT. CMC has a huge task ahead of him in terms of rebuilding all of this.
This is a reason to not want to jump on every unproven high star guy that you seen in the portal. They may have been cut per this x post. Some of these guys are not looking for more money, they are looking for a new team just to continue playing football….
I just hope he can beat any teams we play next that don’t have coaching staffs. That would at least be a step in the right direction.
I’m aware and I completely understand. However, they are going to need to get some blue chip players at the skill positions at some point.
Yes that is correct - just ‘26. Our AD had a miraculous recovery hiring CMC after strinking out with Sitake and failing to woo bigger fish earlier on. But one failure that created lasting damage was not getting a hold of these Franklin devotee support staff in the program. They wiped out the class. CMC has done a great job putting a class back together, but the reality is that the it’s a class of less quantity and likely less quality than what we could’ve had.
Just curious didn't anyone recommit from the 27 class, being told to look elsewhere.
Can you or anyone else on the board explain why there is so much emphasis being placed on a 105 roster number for 2026 when Penn State typically travels with 70 players for football games?
Seems like the ramp up to 105 can occur over multiple years. Willing to hear all responses since I may be missing something. Thanks.
Not sure. I know with Spell he seems to after NIL $ first. But I’m not sure - you probably noticed a number of prospects posting on X that they have been “re-offered” by PSU . Just strange times and some of it could’ve been avoided if Kraft prepared a bit better.
Campbell: “I can offer you all the Creamery ice cream you can eat and graduate-level textbooks. Take it or leave it.”
It kind of looks that way, based on what happened, plus there was a social media post by a recruit's family, maybe the DT in the 2026 class that committed elsewhere?
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I’ve got to say - i feel happy for Indiana!!! Doesn’t everyone??? They’re so plucky!!
Maybe some of those WRs in the portal aren't sure PSU can develop WRZs after the questionable results the last few years under Hagans.
I agree. But talent wins out eventually. They need high end talent to compete in this conference. Even Cig understands that as you see them pursuing higher talent players in the portal now.
I’m thinking they haven’t really landed any big fish yet.