Penn State Football: James Franklin adjusts recruiting philosophy

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions enters the stadium before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions enters the stadium before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Drew Allar, Penn State Football
Medina quarterback, and James Franklin’s highest-rated quarterback recruit to Penn State Football, Drew Allar (Image via the Akron Beacon) /

James Franklin has changed his recruiting tactics. The results have Penn State Football poised to sign consecutive top-ten classes.

After a down year on and off the field during the 2020 season, the sky was falling in Happy Valley.

Penn State Football finished a pandemic-shortened season with a losing record. To make matters worse, the 2021 recruiting class finished outside the top 20 for the first time under James Franklin.

While the on-field results still have the sky falling, the recent success on the recruiting trail is the sun shining through the clouds.

The Nittany Lions‘ 2022 recruiting class finished ranked sixth in the nation. It also features the top-ranked quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton.

Franklin is many things. A questionable in-game decision-maker. A coach that has struggled to find a successful offensive coordinator since Joe Moorhead left for greener pastures. A coach that has created distractions by not simply saying he has no interest in another position.

Franklin is also an incredible recruiter.

He creates a family atmosphere as well as any other coach in the country. The players that decide to play at Penn State don’t typically regret their decision.

Good coaches make adjustments wherever they are necessary. James Franklin has adjusted his recruiting philosophy. The results have been immediate.

Here are three changes Penn State Football coach James Franklin made to his recruiting philosophy.