Penn State football pulled off a shocking upset during the early signing period on Dec. 3 when four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone signed with the Nittany Lions.
Penn State pulls major signing day upset, reuniting with former 4-star QB commit
His journey back to Penn State was a tumultuous one. He initially committed to Virginia Tech before flipping to the Nittany Lions. Falzone flipped a second time, going to the Tigers. Up until Dec. 2, he remained with Auburn. However, a day before signing with Penn State, he de-committed and gave the blue and white another opportunity to revive their recruitment class.
Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone endorses Terry Smith to be next Penn State head coach as he signs with the program
Sitting at the table with a pen by his side, Falzone shared a message favoring interim head coach Terry Smith to be promoted full-time. He said Smith won his family's heart and that it's evident that he gives the players life on the field.
"It's an unknown situation. I'm trying to figure out the head coach position," Falzone said. "Very hopeful it's coach Smith. He's a great guy and I think he can lead the team, and he's won the heart of my family, but he's won the hearts of all the players there. You could see how they're competing every Saturday, so I hope he's the guy; but if it's not, I'm ready to just go play as hard as I can for whatever coach comes in. They're going to get a quarterback who going to do whatever it takes to win, whether that's run the ball 30 times or throw the ball down the field. We're going to get the W."
Nazareth High QB Peyton Falzone, who signed with Penn State today, said he hopes Terry Smith gets the permanent job.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) December 3, 2025
Smith and assistant QBs coach Trace McSorley were instrumental to his return to Penn State. pic.twitter.com/VxOOt8Qo6O
Falzone is the second signee of Penn State's. Four-star defensive end Jackson Ford also signed with the Nittany Lions, becoming the first to stick it out with a team with an uncertain future. Both recruits are from Pennsylvania and are Top 10 recruits from the state. Falzone is the 20th ranked quarterback from his class as well and the 306th overall recruit, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Player support of Smith might go a long way, especially given the lack of success the Nittany Lions have in the 2025 coaching carousel. If candidates continue falling through, Penn State might need to tough it out with Smith, piece together a 2026 season and recruitment cycle rooted in culture, and see where things go. With Smith, the Nittany Lions are likely to keep a number of players eligible to return given their outward support of the interim head coach after recents wins against Nebraska and Rutgers. Now that signees are following suit in that regard, Smith isn't the worst option in the world, even if it's clear athletic director Pat Kraft is avoiding that route.