In the wake of James Franklin’s firing, Penn State is staring down a critical inflection point, not just on the sidelines, but on the recruiting trail.
A flurry of high-profile decommitments from the 2026 and 2027 classes has shaken the Nittany Lions’ recruiting foundation, forcing the program to regroup quickly under interim head coach Terry Smith and athletic director Pat Kraft.
Since the announcement of Franklin’s departure, Penn State has lost six verbal commitments, including four-star cornerback Jaziel Hart, four-star wide receiver Davion Brown and three-star wide receiver Lavar Keys in the 2026 class and five-star running back Kemon Spell, five-star offensive tackle Layton von Brandt, and four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor in the 2027 class.
Class of 2026 four-star safety Matt Sieg, along with several others, have made it clear they intend to explore other options amid the uncertainty. While next year’s class continues to tumble down recruiting boards, the 2027 class now has no members.
The departures underscore the volatility of modern recruiting, especially in the NIL and transfer portal era. Despite the setbacks, Kraft remains firm in his long-term vision for Penn State football.
“Recruiting will always be a pillar here,” Kraft said. “We want someone who will attract elite talent, retain players in the NIL era and make Penn State a destination.”
That message now becomes the guiding principle for the interim staff, led by Smith, a long-time assistant who has deep ties to the current roster and incoming recruits. He said he probably recruited about three-fourths of the current roster personally, as well as many of the committed players.
The former cornerbacks coach and associate head coach isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“We’re going to continue to recruit, we’re going to continue to get in front of these guys,” Smith said.
“One thing that hasn’t changed is, Penn State is Penn State. We all know the expectation of being here. Pat made it clear we’re going to be successful. We have always been successful. It is the only way we know. And so we’re going to recruit the young men that want to be here.”
Smith’s familiarity with both the locker room and the recruiting board is part of what convinced Kraft to make the coaching change midseason. Kraft called Smith an “elite recruiter” and said it gave him confidence in anointing him the interim coach.
In a recruiting environment increasingly shaped by player mobility and NIL influence, that skill set is more important than ever. But Kraft acknowledged the reality that Penn State’s players and recruits are likely being contacted by rival programs.
“The recruiting world has changed,” Kraft said “Student-athletes are flipping and going everywhere … I’m not going to be naive. I probably know that every Power 4 team has reached out to our student athletes already.”
Still, both Kraft and Smith are emphasizing stability and tradition in their messaging to current players and recruits. For Smith, that starts with reminding prospects why they chose Penn State in the first place.
“This is still a great university, offers a first-class education,” Smith said. “You know it’s going to be first-class football. We play in the Big Ten at the highest level.”
Smith also reinforced that Penn State’s core values and expectations will remain intact, regardless of who the next permanent head coach is. He also said the next head coach, whoever it is, will be “a great leader” and someone prospects want to play for.
In the immediate future, the priority is holding the program together and preparing for Saturday’s game against Iowa. But the coming months will be defined by a relentless recruiting push.
“Terry has a great staff that he will lead to deal with the recruiting issues,” Kraft said. “None of it is surprising, but right now I want to make sure that we’re prepared to go and get after Iowa.”
While decommitments sting, they’re not unexpected. The interim staff is betting on culture and connection to keep the Nittany Lions’ long-term recruiting goals intact. For Smith, that means doubling down on relationships, campus visits and the “tedious approach” that’s long defined Penn State’s recruiting identity.
“When we suit up, come 2026, with a new roster,” Smith said, “they’re going to be equipped and ready to go.”
