With a new head coach seemingly on the way to Penn State, a Class of 2026 four-star recruit is back up for grabs. Quarterback Peyton Falzone de-committed from Auburn on Monday, Dec. 1. He initially flipped his commitment from the Nittany Lions to the Tigers in June, wounding Penn State's recruitment class.
Penn State's head coach target is reportedly getting clearer
Falzone is the 306th-ranked recruit from his class and 20th overall quarterback, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He's also the No. 10 recruit out of Pennsylvania.
BREAKING: Four-Star QB Peyton Falzone has Decommitted from Auburn, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’5 210 QB had been Committed to the Tigers since June⁰⁰https://t.co/E8n5UqiKvm pic.twitter.com/onoxM4Ok8q
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 1, 2025
Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone de-commits from Auburn after previously pledging allegiance to Penn State and Virginia Tech
According to Rivals, Falzone told Auburn head coch Alex Golesh on Sunday that he was ready to go and sign on Wednesday with the Tigers. One day later, the tide suddenly turned.
This isn't the first time Falzone de-committed and flipped his decision, and it's not the second either. Before committing to Penn State, the quarterback was committed to Virginia Tech.
With Hugh Freeze getting fired in October and the recent events of James Franklin's departure from Penn State, the Nittany Lions still in the midst of their head coach search, and Franklin becoming the next Hokies head coach, it's a chaotic overlap of scenarios for Falzone's abrupt decision.
He is now the top-ranked uncommitted quarterback in the 2026 cycle per Rivals Industry Ranking. With the early signing period days away and his future now unknown, Penn State's future head coach, whoever it may be, has an opportunity to push for a four-star quarterback and revive a dying Class of 2026.
Helping that case as well is Happy Valley's proximity to Falzone's hometown. The Pennsylvania native can be swayed to join a rebuild with the Nittany Lions; or Falzone can re-decide that Virginia Tech is the place for him thanks to the relationship he previously established with Franklin.
Whoever ends up taking over Penn State's program will need a boost one way or another in recruitment in order to start the rebuild on a strong foundation. Seeking out Falzone, someone familiar with the Nittany Lions, and landing a blue-chip recruit is a perfect way to do so. If Penn State reclaims Falzone, it can pieces its Class of 2026 back together.