2025 4-star RB Kiandrea Barker commits to Penn State Nittany Lions

Houston (Texas) The Woodlands four-star running back Kiandrea Barker is still early in his recruiting process as a rising junior. But he’s ready to put his name on a team’s commitment list, and he did exactly that on Sunday when he committed to James Franklin and Penn State.

The No. 161 overall prospect in the 2025 class is the third commitment in that cycle for the Nittany Lions, and he’s ready to be part of the program.

“Just the love they gave me, and it’s an awesome university,” he told On3 about why he committed now. “When I visited there, the coaches didn’t sugarcoat anything with me. They kept it straight up with me that when I get there it’s going to be straight work, and I like that. After that, I felt the love from everybody and it just felt like home.”

James Franklin, JuJuan Seider made the difference for Kiandrea Barker

Running backs coach JuJuan Seider led the way in his recruitment, and he feels that the Nittany Lions can develop him into their next great running back following in the line of Saquon Barkley, Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

“I like his coaching style, his personality, everything,” Barker said of Seider. “He’s just a great character for me, and he’s somebody I think can coach me very well.”

Barker said that Miami and Florida State were also in contention for his commitment, but the passion around Penn State, as well as head coach James Franklin, made the difference.

“I love him, he’s very straightforward with everything,” Barker said. “And he’ll give it to you how it is even if you don’t want to hear it. And I like that; it’s very different. He wants the best for everyone he is recruiting.”