There was plenty of fallout in the immediate aftermath of <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/penn-state-nittany-lions/">Penn State’s</a> decision to fire longtime head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/james-franklin-131195/">James Franklin</a> in the middle of the season last month.



The Nittany Lions have lost a slew of commits, while plenty of others have opted to remain committed to the program, but have “re-opened” their recruitments to listen to other schools. Nearly a month after Franklin’s firing, Dodge Center (Minn.) Triton four-star tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/pierce-petersohn-249495/">Pierce Petersohn</a> has opted for the latter.



“I remain committed to Penn State and appreciate everything they’ve done for me, but with some uncertainty around the coaching situation, I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment,” <a href="https://x.com/PiercePetersohn/status/1988056741557260418">Petersohn wrote on X Monday evening</a>.



After his announcement on X, Petersohn told Rivals’ Greg Smith he is yet to make any visit plans to see other schools. He also hasn’t had any programs actively in contact in the wake of Franklin’s firing.



The 6-foot-4.5, 200-pounder is not set to be an early enrollee, so while the Dec. 3 National Signing Day looms, there’s still plenty of time for Petersohn to look around. He’s been committed to Penn State since June 25, when he chose it over the home program <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/minnesota-golden-gophers/">Minnesota</a>.



Upon committing, Petersohn was listed as a linebacker, but PSU recruited him as a tight end. He’s now the No. 268 overall prospect, No. 14 TE and No. 3 recruit in Minnesota in the 2026 cycle, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2026/">Rivals Industry Ranking</a>, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.



Petersohn is recovering from an ankle injury that put an end to his senior season last month. He remains coveted by Penn State, though the “re-opening” of his recruitment could see a slew of contenders emerge as winter approaches. 



“You have to do it all as a tight end at Penn State,” <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/penn-state-pierce-petersohn-james-franklin-nittany-lions/">Petersohn told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong</a> upon making his commitment this summer. “I’m very versatile player that will help me in their program … My family and I just think it’s a good fit.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-still-committed-to-penn-state">Who’s still committed to Penn State?</h2>



As of Nov. 10, Penn State still has 17 commits and a class that ranks No. 20 nationally, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/industry-team/football/2026/">Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings</a>. These next few weeks in the final push to NSD will feel much longer for folks in Happy Valley, though.



Harrisburg (Pa.) four-star interior offensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/kevin-brown-175231/">Kevin Brown</a>, the No. 3 IOL in the nation, remains committed but Ohio State and West Virginia are heavily in the mix. Brown’s teammate, four-star running back <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/messiah-mickens-154826/">Messiah Mickens</a>, the No. 14 RB in the nation, is being pursued by Oklahoma and Ole Miss, among others.



Mcdonald (Pa.) Fort Cherry four-star safety <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/matt-sieg-238082/">Matt Sieg</a> is fielding heavy interest from West Virginia, Pitt and Notre Dame. Manassas (Va.) Patriot three-star linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/mathieu-lamah-241372/">Mathieu Lamah</a> and Bear (Del.) Caravel Academy three-star defensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/isaac-chukwurah-246735/">Isaac Chukwurah</a> are among others that look to be trending away from their commitments PSU.



The entire Penn State class <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/industry-team/football/2026/">can be seen here</a>.

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