The five-star, No. 1 running back from the class of 2027, Kemon Spell, committed to Penn State football on Aug. 2, 2024 and pledged his loyalty early in the 2025 season to the Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) via social media. However, Spell did not shut down his recruitment and still accepts offers from other schools.
Now, No. 10 Georgia is in the mix. In late July, his visits to Notre Dame, Florida, and Alabama were announced alongside the blue and white. It's clear that even though he said on social media, "I am staying," other schools still have a shot at successfully flipping his commitment.
No. 1 RB, 5-star Kemon Spell receives offer from Georgia in midst of Penn State football's crisis
Georgia offered ❤️ @KirbySmartUGA @DHill39 @wpialsportsnews @PA_TodaySports @McKTigersFB #Blessed pic.twitter.com/5ZHAbbAqst
— Kemon spell (@KemonJones9) October 8, 2025
This news couldn't come at worse time for the Nittany Lions. Penn State is struggling after a heartbreaking loss to Oregon and shocking loss to UCLA back-to-back.
Spell initially forwent his visit to see the Fighting Irish to take another trip to Happy Valley. That was during the Nittany Lions' non-conference slate that saw overall weak performances from the team. In hopes of new wrinkles, on offense especially, showcasing in Big Ten play, many were met with disappointment.
For the running back room, especially, Penn State has not found its rhythm. Nicholas Singleton has 63 yards for 239 carries and five touchdowns over five games. Kaytron Allen has 54 carries for 377 yards and six touchdowns. While the two put up scores, their all-around performances are not anything to rave about. Allen is outperforming Singleton, the supposed RB1, but the run game has yet to dominate as it was supposed to in 2025.
It's going to be difficult for recruits, like Spell, to justify their decision to stick with the Nittany Lions. Currently, they have to win out to have a fighting chance at making the playoffs and with a daunting trio of games ahead (Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana), it's not looking great for Penn State. Especially with the lacking run game, the Nittany Lions need to get it together for the sake of their season and the future of the program.
Other schools are going to look a lot more tempting, and soon enough, there won't be many five-star recruits taking Penn State seriously if it can't keep up with the best. There's not much of a pitch when a team goes from No. 2 to unranked by the end of Week 6.