Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547542
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 5 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State general manager Derek Hoodjer and the recruiting staff are gearing up for a very busy three- month stretch. With the 2027 recruiting class num- bering 21 commits as of early November, the Nittany Lions still have room for multiple additions ahead of the early signing period, which is set to begin on Dec. 2. With transfer portal scouting also well underway, this is shaping up as a pivotal stretch for Penn State's 2027 team and beyond. For now, though, finishing strong with high school recruiting is at the forefront. The Nittany Lions are set at running back and tight end, but they are open to adding players at other posi- tions if the fit is right. Here's the latest on each of those re- maining positions. QUARTERBACK Penn State lost its lone quarterback in the 2027 class on Oct. 18 when Mas- sachusetts native Will Wood flipped to Boston College. The timing wasn't ideal, with just over six weeks to go until the early signing period. Initially, head coach Matt Campbell and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters looked in a familiar place, extending an offer to Omaha, Neb., native Braylen Warren on Oct. 23. A four-star prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking, War- ren earned his first offer from Waters a few years ago when the coach was at Iowa State, and he visited Ames mul- tiple times. However, Warren has been committed to Missouri since December 2025, which was always going to make him tough to flip. Despite a late push that included Campbell visiting his school during Penn State's bye week, Warren confirmed on Oct. 27 that he was sticking with Mizzou. That led Penn State to extend an offer to three-star quarterback Ben Rolapp, a Connecticut native, the following day. The Brunswick School prospect com- mitted to Boston College in June and has been loyal to Bill O'Brien and his staff ever since. However, following the addition of Wood, there's now a belief that Rolapp is seriously considering a flip to Penn State. He and his teammates are in the midst of one of the school's best sea- sons ever, and with games scheduled for Saturdays through most of November, a visit isn't expected until after his season Penn State Eyes Late Additions In Homestretch Of 2027 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 Rutgers commit Arnold Mugerwa visited Penn State for the Purdue game on Oct. 31 after receiving an offer from the Nittany Lions. The Johnstown, Pa., receiver totaled 46 catches for 625 yards and 8 touchdowns this season. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER Rivals Industry 2027 Team Recruiting Rankings As of Nov. 10 Rk. School Commits 1. Miami 21 2. Texas A&M 23 3. Notre Dame 23 4. Oregon 25 5. Florida 26 6. Ohio State 28 7. Oklahoma 27 8. Texas Tech 18 9. Texas 23 10. Georgia 25 21. Penn State 21