In the wake of Penn State football firing head coach James Franklin, class of 2026 and 2027 recruits are de-committing left and right.
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Joining that group of former commits who reopened their recruitment is four-star safety Matt Sieg, one of the highest-ranked prospects the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) had committed to their program. The class of 2026 was already struggling after a series of losing recruitment battles and flips. Now, the strongest members of the class are putting themselves back on the market.
The Pennsylvania native said in a social media post that he is "still open to being a Lion, but with the uncertainty of the current situation, my family and I are trying to make sure we make the best decision for the future. Please respect our decision."
This was in response to the announcement by Hayes Fawcett. Sieg told Fawcett that he is still committed to the current staff in Happy Valley. With Franklin already heading out, it's uncertain who will follow and who will come in. Head coach possibilities remain up in the air and it's uncertain there if Penn State can hire a statement coach that can take the program beyond where Franklin got it.
I love Penn State and am still open to being a Lion, but with the uncertainty of the current situation, my family and I are trying to make sure we make the best decision for the future. Please respect our decision. @BrianDohn247 @adamgorney @SWiltfong_ @210ths https://t.co/bjzqZbx1WQ
— Matt Sieg 4 ⭐️ ATH (@matt_sieg) October 13, 2025
Sieg committed to Penn State on Nov. 2, 2024. He is listed as the No. 172 recruit from his class and No. 16 safety in the country, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He is also the fifth-ranked student athlete out of the state.
His latest announcement does not come as a surprise. The class of 2027 is already emptying out and the class of 2026 is following suit very quickly.
The good news for the Nittany Lions is that Sieg is not ruling out Penn State entirely. He is still giving the program consideration, which as much as it can ask for. In order to retain commits and key players already enrolled is by turning the program around as much as possible in the last six games of the regular season and putting together as elite of a coaching staff as possible. Penn State can't afford to lose its star commits entirely. Its next moves will decide if Sieg and other four-stars give the Nittany Lions a chance or go to a school that can ensure stability.