Penn State is in desperate need for a quarterback recruit. After going from two to one in their class of 2026 with four-star Peyton Falzone flipping to Auburn and missing out on multiple class of 2027 prospects, the Nittany Lions must be pleased to hear they've made the final three cut for this four-star passer.
Keegan Croucher, a Cheshire, Conn. native, told Rivals' Hayes Fawcett that Penn State, Oregon, and Ole Miss are the top three schools he's considering committing to. He was the top quarterback recruit for head coach James Franklin to pivot to once Peter Bourque committed to Big Ten rival Michigan in early August.
NEWS: Four-Star QB Keegan Croucher (2027) is down to 3️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 25, 2025
The 6’4 205 QB from Fonda, NY is ranked as the No. 9 QB in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals)
Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/YIYe0LJxCL pic.twitter.com/5g14s6KL9S
This isn't too much of a surprise and only backs what Croucher told Rivals' Chad Simmons earlier in August. The three schools were emerging as his favorites, and the latest update confirmed the three-way race.
Penn State's luck with quarterback recruitment hasn't been very strong. It's been a series of unfortunate events. First it was Falzone's flip, then the CO'27 left Franklin in the dust as Teddy Jarrard chose Notre Dame, Bourque decided on Michigan, and Brady Edmunds locked it in with his first commitment to Ohio State in the midst of Oregon and the Nittany Lions attempting to flip him.
Croucher is the last target remaining for Penn State in the quarterback room. He's ranked No. 10 in the position among his class and is the 125th overall recruit, according to 247Sports. As of right now, Franklin appears to be in the lead to land the rising junior as Rivals gave the Nittany Lions a 35 percent chance to earn his commitment.
In 2024 as a sophomore, Croucher recorded 2,052 yards and 20 touchdowns on 145 passes. He also had 69 yards and one rushing touchdown on 19 carries. The year before, he totaled 2,934 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, according to 247Sports' national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins.
Game day visits in the fall will be huge turning points in recruitment in regards to both classes (2026 and 2027). Going up against the Ducks for a recruit will be a challenge, especially given the success they've had with high-ranked prospects. Penn State is still working on flipping five-star plus class of 2026 offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho who committed to Oregon in July. He and Croucher have visits scheduled this fall to watch the Nittany Lions in action. This will be the quarterback's third time at State College after visiting for the June 2024 school camp and making another unofficial visit in November 2024.