Penn State bolsters recruiting staff with Big 12 addition

Penn State is in the process of rebuilding its talent acquisition wing, and the latest hire comes from the Big 12. The Nittany Lions have tabbed now-former Cincinnati Director of Player Personnel Jack Griffith as a recruiting assistant. Griffith will work under new general manager Derek Hoodjer, who came from Iowa State with Matt Campbell earlier this week. 

Before Cincinnati, Griffith worked in the scouting department with the New York Jets. He left the Jets to work under Cincinnati General Manager Zach Grant, after the two had worked together at Ohio State. He also spent two years at Villanova attending law school, and played safety at Marist. 

Griffith oversaw the Transfer Portal at Cincinnati

Griffith spent the last three years with the Bearcats, where he was able to oversee the program’s transfer portal operations and had a hand in roster construction. Among the key players added through the portal was former Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who landed on most offensive award national watch lists heading into the 2025 season. Sorsby was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025 after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He added 580 yards on the ground and nine scores this season. 

Former Ohio State tight end Joe Royer, who is expected to be one of the top players at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft, transferred to Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 season. Royer was an All-Big 12 First-Teamer in 2024 and caught 29 passes for 416 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. In his two years at Cincinnati, Royer totaled 79 catches for 937 yards and seven touchdowns after having just four catches for 24 yards in his first three seasons as a Buckeye. 

Tracking Matt Campbell’s Penn State hires so far

Taylor Mouser – Offensive coordinator

Ryan Clanton — Offensive line

Deon Broomfield – Secondary

Derek Hoodjer – General manager

Jack Griffith – Assistant General Manager

Trent Slattenow – Director of Player Personnel, Football (Kenny Sanders holds this role at Penn State. Slattenow having this title does not guarantee Sanders will leave. He may get a new title/role. That decision appears to be one of the many Campbell has to make.

Greg Brabenec – Chief of Staff (Kevin Threlkel previously held this role before leaving PSU for Virginia Tech)

Aaron Hillmann – Sport Performance Manager (In Ames, he oversaw ISU’s strength and conditioning and nutrition efforts, per his school bio)

Reid Kagy – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach (He is expected to take over for Chuck Losey, who is expected to follow James Franklin to Virginia Tech.)