Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell is rolling with recruitment, whether it be earning commitments, getting recruits on campus to view spring practices, or scheduling official spring/summer visits with elite prospects.
Highly touted 4-star WR teases potential Penn State commitment on social media
On Thursday, the Nittany Lions hosted a number of recruits. Of the group, one quarterback stands out in particular: five-star Will Mencl.
Penn State hosts five-star quarterback Will Mencl for spring practice visit, hoping to sway him from committing to Oregon
Mencl is a Chandler, Ariz. native and is ranked 50th nationally and fourth among quarterbacks in the Class of 2027, per Rivals Industry Rankings. He's also the No. 1 recruit out of Arizona. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Mencl is No. 84 overall in the class, seventh in the quarterback room, and first from his state.
Oregon has been on Mencl's tail, but that doesn't mean Penn State can't overtake the Ducks. Other teams are also in the mix. Prior to his visit to Happy Valley, the quarterback visited Auburn and he plans to visit Miami next week as well.
NEW: Rivals No. 1 QB Will Mencl has set his commitment timeline after dominating at UA Next Phoenix🎯@BrandonHuffman has the latest as one program is pushing hard…
— Rivals (@Rivals) March 13, 2026
View: https://t.co/YsRhMtJRPd pic.twitter.com/M8v3XB6ULC
Nothing is official, yet, but the Nittany Lions might need to step on the gas even with Mencl having just visited. The rising high school senior told Rivals that he hopes to commit following his trio of visits. After visiting the Hurricanes, Mencl looks at a potential mid to late April commitment date.
"Obviously if it doesn’t feel right, I don’t want to turn off anyone," Mencl noted, though.
Oregon has a 97.8 percent chance of landing Mencl, per Rivals, with the Tigers listed second with a 1.2 percent chance. The blue and white, however, still have an edge with Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters.
Mouser is also a Chandler, Ariz. native, offering a connection to home that other programs cannot. He, Campbell, and Waters have a strong relationship with Mencl's head coach, Ty Wisdom, at Chandler High School, per 247Sports. Campbell and his staff can leverage these connections and start inching Penn State closer to the top of Mencl's list.
While it appears like the Ducks have a huge lead in recruiting the young quarterback, the Nittany Lions cannot be counted out.