Penn State lands pledge from prized OL target Marlen Bright: 'How they truly develop kids'

Penn State coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have been recruiting Wayne (NJ) DePaul Catholic four-star offensive tackle Marlen Bright for nearly three years.

It paid off on Saturday.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Bright announced his intentions to play for Penn State, choosing to suit up for head coach James Franklin and his staff over his other finalists in Illinois, Florida State, North Carolina, West Virginia, Texas A&M and Tennessee.

“I’d definitely say from the beginning it’s always been love I received from the coaches,” Bright said. “It’s been a long time that they’ve been recruiting me, since the end of my freshman year. They showed the same love through and through.”

It goes beyond the attention Franklin and company showed Bright. Commit No. 24 for the Nittany Lions in the 2026 class, it’s the program’s track record and atmosphere that led him to Happy Valley.

“The development,” Bright said. “How they truly develop kids. They’ve showed it in the past. I’m hoping they’ll develop me where I want to be which I’m hoping will be the next level in the pros.

“The environment. As you know it’s a football town. All the people show up. It’s also as a lot of people say, far enough to be your own person but close enough family can always be with you. Even though you have family with your teammates, your family can always be with you.”

Penn State’s staff was a big factor in Bright’s commitment

Rivals ranks Bright as the nation’s No. 23 offensive tackle and No. 223 prospect overall. Franklin, offensive line coach Phil Trautwein have had him in camp and in State College several times throughout his process.

“Coach Franklin, amazing dude,” Bright stated. “Looks like my father. He’s always been there, even from the beginning. He loved me when he offered me as a freshman and still loves me to this day. It’s truly more than a coach-player relationship. It’s like uncle to nephew.

“Coach Traut he’s the best coach to develop tackles. You see what he did with Olu (Fashanu) and he tells me I remind him so much of Drew Shelton. Ever since the beginning he said he’s had a man crush on me. That’s what Coach Franklin told me. That’s a crazy message coming to a freshman. Every coach there plays a role, even coaches that went other places because they talked highly about Penn State, the coaches, the environment and the people.”

Bright adds to a Penn State recruiting class Rivals previously ranked No. 16 nationally.