Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone signs with Penn State on National Signing Day

Penn State has signed four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone to its Class of 2026.

A 6-foot-5, 200-pound prospect from Nazareth, Pa., Falzone’s recruitment has featured plenty of twists and turns with the Nittany Lions. After camping at Penn State in June 2024, former head coach James Franklin and the staff originally liked his potential best as a tight end. While Penn State was admittedly the school he grew up supporting, his preference to play quarterback at the next level took precedent, which is why he committed to Brent Pry and his staff at Virginia Tech on June 29.

Falzone ended up backing out of that commitment at the end of the 2024 season. Around that same time, he started working with quarterback trainer Brad Maendler, making weekly trips to Hudson, Ohio, to work with the same trainer who oversaw Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer’s development.

“He’s without a doubt the best athlete I’ve ever worked with,” said quarterback trainer Brad Maendler. “What he can do running and jumping is very impressive. My arm isn’t what it used to be, but when we play catch, he one hands my passes all the time. It’s like he’s wearing a catcher’s mitt. He has 11-inch hands. The way that translates to spin is insane. His spin rate is pretty crazy.”

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By late March, Franklin had seen enough development from Falzone to officially offer him as a quarterback. He went on to take an official visit to Iowa in early April and was planning to do the same with Utah. However, he ultimately decided to commit to Penn State during an unofficial visit on April 12. At the time, he was one of two quarterbacks in the class, joining California native Troy Huhn.

Penn State thought it was set at the quarterback position, only for Falzone to surprise many in late June when he flipped his commitment for a second time, committing to Hugh Freeze and his staff at Auburn. Falzone remained with the Tigers after Freeze was fired, only to reopen his recruitment again on Monday following the hiring of Alex Golesh.

Falzone ended up missing most of his senior season with a fractured clavicle in his non-throwing arm. Through the first four games, he threw for 1,176 yards and 12 passing touchdowns. He also had 216 yards rushing and six more rushing scores.

A four-star prospect by both Rivals and in the Industry Rankings, Falzone ranked No. 296 nationally, No. 19 at quarterback and 10th overall in Pennsylvania for his class. He joins Malvern Prep edge rusher Jackson Ford as the only two signees during the early signing period as Penn State still waits to see who will be the next head coach of the program.