Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1541276
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5 5 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M ALEX HASKELL DL | 6-3 | 285 | Philadelphia Haskell originally told reporters that he intended to hold firm with his com- mitment. That changed on Oct. 22 when he announced that he would be flipping his commitment to Syracuse. "Coach [Fran] Brown and Coach Eli- jah [Robinson] have been great to me and my family since they offered me, and it came down to the wire when I made my original decision," the three- star prospect said. "They are building something special. I'm there, and I'm happy to be a part of it." TROY HUHN QB | 6-4 | 220 | San Marcos, Calif. Huhn officially backed out of his commitment on Oct. 16. In recent weeks, the Mission Hills quarter- back hasn't discussed his recruitment much, but Stanford is a school to watch closely. Minnesota is also showing in- terest, but we wouldn't be surprised if the three-star prospect ends up follow- ing James Franklin to his next school. Huhn planned to be an early enrollee, but he also has some work to do before he could be admitted to Stanford. LAVAR KEYS WR | 5-10 | 165 | Landover, Md. Keys was the first 2026 recruit to open up his recruitment, announcing just hours after Franklin's dismissal that he was backing out of his commitment. Since then, he has checked out Indiana on an unofficial trip Oct. 25 and made an official visit to Maryland the follow- ing weekend. The three-star prospect also has an official visit set with Kansas State for Nov. 29-30, but it's believed the Hoosiers are the team to beat. Keys made an official visit to Bloomington last summer. JULIAN PETERSON CB | 6-2 | 180 | Atco, N.J. Peterson officially backed out of his commitment to Penn State on Oct. 22 and took an official visit to North Caro- lina the following weekend. The three- star cornerback then went to Wisconsin Nov. 8-9 and will check out Clemson Nov. 15-16. The Tigers appear to be in the lead. JAHSIEAR ROGERS WR | 5-10 | 175 | Bear, Del. Rogers is the only offensive player who has flipped, announcing on Oct. 27 that he plans to sign with Oklahoma following an official visit to Norman a few days prior. It was a bit of a surprise considering that he had earned an offer from Alabama and was set for an official visit to Tuscaloosa Nov. 7-8. Nebraska was also in the mix, but now the four- star receiver is set to join the Sooners in January. ■ Penn State's 2027 Class Scatters Amid Coaching Upheaval Penn State came into the fall with one of the best classes in the nation for 2027. Following the addition of safety Gabe Jenkins in mid-August, the Nittany Lions were up to four commitments, all of whom held four-star grades or better in the Rivals Industry Ranking. Eight weeks later, the situation looks a whole lot dif- ferent. All four players have backed out of their commit- ments, a collapse that actually started just before James Franklin was fired. On Oct. 10, four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor of Pine-Richland High in Gibsonia, Pa., an- nounced that he was reopening his recruitment amid con- cerns about PSU's development of players at his position. "I have great respect for Penn State and their staff, but I want to make sure I'm in the right situation to fully display my talents as a playmaker and continue developing as a wide receiver," said Taylor, who's ranked No. 73 nationally, No. 12 among wide receivers and No. 4 in Pennsylvania. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect now holds two dozen offers, with Ohio State, Oregon and Texas A&M joining the chase soon after he decommitted. Penn State's three other 2027 commits — Jenkins, five-star running back Kemon Spell and four-star offensive tackle Layton von Brandt — officially opened up their recruitment on Oct. 12. Spell, from McKeesport, Pa., is the top-ranked running back in the country for 2027. Even before he officially decommitted, the 5-10, 210-pound prospect was already looking around, having attended Ohio State's season opener against Texas in August. He has since visited Notre Dame as well, attend- ing the Irish's showdown against USC on Oct. 18. Trips to Oregon and Michigan are in the works for late November. Von Brandt, who plays at Appoquinimink High in Middletown, Del., and Jenkins of Imani Christian in Pittsburgh, are now focused on making deep playoff runs with their respective teams before turning their attention back to recruiting in January. Jenkins did visit Nebraska on Oct. 25, just before start of the PIAA playoffs. Moving forward, all four players have said they would be willing to reconsider Penn State depending on who is hired to replace Franklin. The three Pennsylvanians belong to one of the state's deepest classes in at least a decade; the Rivals Industry Ranking presently lists 15 Keystone State prospects as four-star players or better. The state has averaged 9.4 four-star prospects per year over the past five recruiting cycles, so the 2027 class will afford Penn State's new staff a crucial opportunity to assert itself. — Ryan Snyder Four-star receiver Khalil Taylor began having second thoughts even before James Franklin was fired on Oct. 12. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER RIVALS INDUSTRY 2026 TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of Nov. 10 Rk. School Commits 1. USC 35 2. Georgia 30 3. Oregon 18 4. Notre Dame 27 5. Alabama 23 6. Texas A&M 26 7. Ohio State 25 8. Texas 20 9. Tennessee 23 10. Miami 27 20. Penn State 17