Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1531683
5 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State is off to an excellent start with its class of 2026. By the end of the December signing period for the 2025 class, the Nittany Lions had already earned commitments from eight players in the next cycle. That list includes a potential five-star recruit in offensive lineman Kevin Brown, plus four other four-star players. As of Jan. 20, PSU's class was ranked among the nation's best at No. 7 overall. But with nearly an entire year still to go until players can sign, Penn State contin- ues to recruit at just about every position. Below is a breakdown of the players to watch the closest at each position. Quarterback Penn State picked up a commitment from Troy Huhn in June. A four-star prospect and the nation's 18th-ranked quarterback according to On3, Huhn was one of three players the Nittany Lions prioritized at the position this past sum- mer, and they're happy to have him al- ready committed. The San Marcos, Calif., native has also shown no signs of wavering, traveling across the country to visit on multiple occasions. He and his family even at- tended the Fiesta Bowl on their own. However, fans should also keep an eye on Peyton Falzone of Nazareth, Pa. Fal- zone camped at Penn State last sum- mer as a quarterback but also worked with tight ends coach Ty Howle. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, he fits the tight end position well but has also been ada- mant that he would prefer to play quar- terback at the next level. Either way, PSU isn't going to slow down its pursuit of the four-star prospect. Running Back Messiah Mickens of Harrisburg (Pa.) High was the first prospect to join Penn State's 2026 class, doing so in August 2023. He has since emerged as one of the class's leaders. Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year after total- ing 1,449 all-purpose yards as a junior, Mickens is ranked No. 129 overall na- tionally by On3 and is the No. 14 running back in the class. The Nittany Lions have extended of- fers to 15 other running backs across the country, but there hasn't been much movement. Ohio native Shahn Alston had the Lions among his top three, but he committed to USC on Jan. 11. Favour Akih of Delaware, Ohio, visited for the Ohio State game in November and seems to have Penn State among his early fa- vorites. The 5-11, 190-pound running back is ranked seventh nationally at the position by On3 and 76th overall. For now, Penn State is happy to have Nittany Lions Looking To Build On Hot Start To 2026 Cycle RYA N S N Y D E R | RYA N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M FOOTBALL RECRUITING The first player to join Penn State's 2026 class, Harrisburg (Pa.) High running back Messiah Mickens was named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER