The first dominoes of the 2027 quarterback class have begun to fall as Notre Dame beat out Penn State and others for four-star Teddy Jarrard. In the wake of Jarrard’s commitment to the Fighting Irish, the Nittany Lions’ top priorities in the class have become increasingly clear.
Massachusetts four-star Peter Bourque has appeared to be the program’s primary target throughout the early part of the 2027 cycle, but a recently offered quarterback, Connecticut four-star Keegan Croucher, has continued to emerge throughout the summer.
James Franklin and his staff first offered Croucher in June, along with Virginia Tech and Miami, as the three-sport athlete’s football recruitment ratcheted up. Now, the 10th-ranked QB in the 2027 class according to 247Sports Composite Rankings is reportedly planning to head to Happy Valley this fall, along with trips to Oregon and Ole Miss.
Cheshire Academy four-star QB Keegan Croucher is one of the most coveted 2027 passers in the country. He has fall visits on the itinerary for Ole Miss and Oregon and will hit Penn State as well. He talks about his interest in those programs here: https://t.co/BJg5NKKTyv pic.twitter.com/tF1zEwAGE4
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 28, 2025
Keegan Croucher, top Penn State QB target, planning in-season visit to Happy Valley
There are major programs interested in Croucher, but Penn State may have the inside track for one of the top QBs in the northeast. After beginning his high school career at Fonda-Fultonville Central in New York, Croucher transferred to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut.
If that school sounds familiar to Nittany Lions fans, it’s because that’s where 2024 five-star tight end Luke Reynolds played his high school ball. Franklin and his staff also have a moderate track record of success recruiting quarterbacks out of Connecticut, dating back to Will Levis in the 2018 class. The most recent top QB from the state, Ryan Puglisi in 2024, left the northeast and committed to Georgia, where he is ostensibly in a fall camp QB battle with Gunner Stockton this year.
While his tape may not be quite as impressive as Bourque’s, the No. 6 QB in the class and likely the ideal 2027 QB for the Nittany Lions, Croucher is impressive. He has easy arm strength, with his baseball background translating as he generates major horsepower with his quick release while on the move. Already 6-foot-4, Croucher has a Power 4 frame, and because of his clean mechanics, he can drive the ball downfield without sacrificing touch or accuracy.
Ethan Grunkemeyer is the likely successor to Drew Allar. The 2024 four-star emerged as Allar’s primary backup following Beau Pribula’s decision to transfer ahead of the College Football Playoff, and will enter 2025 cemented as Penn State’s QB2. Still, the Nittany Lions will look to add long-term depth to their quarterback room beyond 2025 three-star Bekkem Kriitza and 2026 four-star Troy Huhn.
They still have two years of high school football left to play, but both Bourque and Croucher project as potential Power Conference starters at the next level, so the Nittany Lions must come away with at least one of the two in the 2027 cycle.