Penn State Football: State College’s Jaden Seider Commits to Walk On for Nittany Lions

When James Franklin brought JaJuan Seider to Penn State last season as running backs coach, he thought he was gaining some experience recruiting in the south, where Seider had previously coached and played. As it turns out, he was also getting help recruiting in his own backyard.

Seider’s son Jaden Seider committed to the Nittany Lions as a preferred walk-on Tuesday night. Although he didn’t earn any offers, Seider also drew interest from Miami, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Oregon State.

Seider transferred to State High this season after his father took the job as Penn State’s running backs coach. Serving mostly as a backup quarterback for the Little Lions, Seider was 9-of-13 for 94 yards.

Home for the next four years😎 #WeAre🦁 pic.twitter.com/5ycK4jtUDb

— Jaden Seider (@JadenSeider) December 12, 2018

He is the second State High player in Penn State’s 2019 recruiting class, joining cornerback Keaton Ellis. A 5-10, 175 pound prospect, Seider also joins a loaded quarterback room that already includes four-star recruits Michael Johnson and Taquan Roberson and fellow preferred walk-on Isaac Rumery of Clearfield.

State College receiver Cohen Russell also has received a preferred walk-on offer, though he has not yet announced a decision.

Seider’s path to college football seemed improbable when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January of 2015. His father tweeted in July of that year that he was in remission after immediately beginning treatment and nine rounds of chemotherapy.

My son just kick Cancer Butt. Thanks for all the well wishes. Take that lymphoma. #SeiderStrong @JadenSeider pic.twitter.com/wPgeSuzVTc

— JaJuan Seider (@coachseider) July 30, 2015

One year after his diagnosis, Seider made headlines when John Wall and the Washington Wizards hosted him for his Make-A-Wish trip.