It's been a recruiting season of mixed emotions for Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell who's hoping to get the Nittany Lions back into national title contention. The future of the program starts with recruiting, but the 2027 class doesn't seem so promising anymore.
Going back to the start of June, Campbell lost four-star wide receiver Jamir Dean to Georgia, whiffed on landing four-star wideout Deshawn Hall who chose Auburn over Penn State, and failed to land in-state, blue-chip wide receiver Khalil Taylor.
When things looked like they couldn't get worse for Campbell, they did. Four-star running back Aiden Gibson kicked him down another notch for good measure, flipping his commitment to Rutgers. Questions about and judgments on hiring Campbell are filing in one after another, and rightfully so, but that doesn't erase the face that there are some things fans can look forward to in the future.
Matt Campbell starts his recruitment redemption arc with 2028 cycle
It's a nightmare in the 2027 cycle for Campbell, clearly, but there's a glimmer of hope for how his 2028 class can turn out.
Penn State landed four-star quarterback James Armstrong. The 2028 prospect is a Pennsylvania native too, helping Campbell get off to a good start with in-state recruits. Armstrong is everything he needs in a commit, and that's beyond him being from the state as well.
Campbell shared that leadership and initiative are important when it comes to his quarterback room. It's easy to find that in senior transfer Rocco Becht, but it's impressive when it comes from a player who hasn't even graduated high school yet. Armstrong has taken it upon himself to contact fellow blue-chip prospects from Pennsylvania, promoting the Nittany Lions and keeping their talent at home and in-state.
Armstrong isn't the first prospect committed in the 2028 cycle, but he's the first making a huge statement that should help Campbell out in the near future.
His next biggest target? Four-star edge rusher George Parkinson IV. This would be a massive in-state win for Campbell, but he has massive competition to go up against.
Injury progress reports are exactly what Penn State football fans needed to hear
Looking on the horizon for Penn State football, the excitement for the 2026 season is sizzling. New faces, including 2026 recruits and transfers, will sport the blue and white for the first time, but there are returning Nittany Lions who have yet to showcase their highest potential.
Linebacker Tony Rojas is one of them. According to strength coach Reid Kagy and defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, the redshirt junior is ready for Saturdays and the coaching staff can't wait either.
"I had no idea he was that big," Lynn told On3.
Alongside Rojas, defensive end Max Granville is back. His lower body injury that sidelined him from the 2025 season and his limited playing time as a true freshman in 2024 didn't give him an opportunity to show his four-star talent.
Kagy also spoke about Granville's admirable recovery and said he and the rest of the staff is "excited for what he's gonna do this fall."
More: The Palestra celebrates 100th anniversary with Penn State-Pittsburgh rivalry game
Penn State men's basketball has an exciting 2026-27 matchup on the horizon. On Nov. 8, the Nittany Lions have an in-state battle scheduled against Pittsburgh.
The two teams will face off in Philadelphia at The Palestra for their 150th meeting all-time. It is also the 100th anniversary of The Palestra.
"Games like this are what college basketball is all about: great history, passionate fan bases and high-level competition," head coach Mike Rhoades said in Penn State's press release. "The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to celebrate its 100th anniversary while renewing an in-state rivalry for the 150th time makes this a special event for everyone connected to our program. We know there will be tremendous energy in the building, and we’re excited for our players to experience that atmosphere as they represent Penn State. We can’t wait to take the floor in Philadelphia and compete.”
Penn State played its first ever game inside The Palestra, making this upcoming matchup even more special for the Nittany Lions. They head into the contest leading the teams' history, 76-73. They also have a 25-39 all-time record at The Palestra as well and won five of their last eight games in the venue.
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