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Ranking Penn State’s 5 most impressive recruiting victories of James Franklin Era

By Alec Whitaker

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin interacts with members of the Penn State student section prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin interacts with members of the Penn State student section prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State’s Noah Cain (Image via York Daily Record) /

5. Noah Cain (2019)

Noah Cain’s Penn State career came to an end last week when he announced he was entering the transfer portal and moving on to LSU.

Despite the fact that the running back will not finish his career in Happy Valley, that does not diminish from the fact that he was quite an impressive win for Franklin and running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider.

Cain was from Louisiana but attended IMG Academy in Florida, so practically every Southern power was after him. In the months leading up to the early signing day in December of 2018 for 2019 cycle, Cain took visits to Texas, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee. Cain took an official visit to Penn State in November, but he was on Georgia’s campus both of the following weekends.

Cain’s decision came down to the wire, with him not truly having his mind made up until he walked on the stage for his decision that was nationally televised on ESPN2.

Cain told SB Nation that he was set on Texas as recently as the morning of his announcement.

"To be honest, I was a Texas lean this morning. I was telling my parents, Texas, Texas, Texas."

In the end, Penn State and Franklin won out, with Cain citing his strong relationship with the staff.

Cain’s career will end in Happy Valley with a big “what if” from the season-ending injury he suffered on the first drive of the 2020 season that ruined what looked to be a promising sophomore season. He had become a fan-favorite during his freshman season in 2019 thanks to his physical running style and ended up breaking D.J. Dozier and Saquon Barkley’s record for most rushing touchdowns by a true freshman in school history with eight.

Even though things didn’t work out for Cain in the long run at Penn State, there’s no doubt the 4-star was a big win for Penn State and a valuable member of the 11-win 2019 team.

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