Harrisburg (Pa.) four-star running back and <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/penn-state-nittany-lions/">Penn State</a> commit <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/messiah-mickens-154826/">Messiah Mickens</a> has shut down his recruitment, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.



The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder pledged to the in-state Nittany Lions all the way back on Aug. 19, 2023. He’s now locking in fully with <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/james-franklin-131195/">James Franklin</a> and Co. 



Mickens is the No. 101 overall prospect and No. 9 RB in the 2026 cycle, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2026/">On3 Industry Ranking</a>, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 4 player in Pennsylvania. 



As a junior, Mickens tallied a whopping 155 carries for Harrisburg. He turned those opportunities into 1,214 yards and 21 touchdowns. Across three seasons, Mickens has totaled over 3,200 rushing yards and 54 scores, per <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/pa/harrisburg/harrisburg-cougars/athletes/messiah-mickens/football/stats/?careerid=nicj9u74bjcff">MaxPreps</a>. 



The 2024 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Mickens also did plenty of work on the defensive side of the ball for Harrisburg, racking up 81 total tackles and 16.5 sacks.



While his commitment came very early in the recruiting process, Mickens stayed true to PSU. His relationships with the staff in Happy Valley were what helped him pull the trigger on his pledge over 17 months ago.



“How they treat me and family when we come up,” <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/messiah-mickens-2026-athlete-commits-to-penn-state-nittany-lions/">Mickens told On3 upon making his commitment public</a>. “Also my position coach, I love what he does with his running backs and how he uses them. Also, just being in my hometown, my family can make most of all the games and play for your state when it’s big time football. Just feels like home everytime I go and I’ve been around a lot of colleges. My heart is just in state college.”



Mickens is currently one of nine commits in Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class, which ranks No. 6 in the nation, per the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-team/football/2026/">On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings</a>. Other top commits in the class include his Harrisburg teammate and four-star interior offensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kevin-brown-175231/">Kevin Brown</a>, San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills four-star quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/troy-huhn-177304/">Troy Huhn</a> and Mcdonald (Pa.) Fort Cherry four-star safety <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/matt-sieg-238082/">Matt Sieg</a>.

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