How Penn State Football is having recruiting success despite on-field woes

Coaching Stability

Recruits want to know that the coach they are committing to will be there for the duration of their college career.

We saw how messy this got at Oklahoma when Lincoln Reily headed to USC. It’s certainly not something you want to see just days before the early signing period.

Thankfully, Penn State avoided that situation with James Franklin receiving a massive ten-year extension back in October. Although nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to college coaches, it looks like this deal will keep Franklin in Happy Valley for the long haul.

It’s a lot easier for Franklin to recruit now that the recruits know he will be at Penn State when they arrive, and for their whole career. He no longer has to answer questions about his future and rivals cannot use the idea of Franklin leaving Penn State on the recruiting trail any longer.

In addition to keeping Franklin, being able to hold on to ace recruiter Ja’Juan Seider for as long as the Nittany Lions have is a big deal. Seider has helped land seven blue-chip running back recruits since 2018 and was key in the Nittany Lions landing Zane Durant and Cam Miller in the 2022 cycle.

Franklin will need Seider to work his Florida magic again in 2023 as multiple running back and defensive tackle targets call the Sunshine State home.

Recruits want stability, and Franklin can now offer that thanks to his new deal which will keep him around and should keep key assistants around as well.