Penn State football can't afford to lose these 3 recruits on National Signing Day
James Franklin has put together another strong recruiting class with 25 verbal commitments, but if any of these three flip their commitment on signing day, then Penn State is in trouble.
By Josh Yourish
The early signing period begins on Wednesday and James Franklin isn’t expecting many surprises. Penn State has 25 verbal commits in its 2024 recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 13 nationally according to 247 Sports.
When asked about the upcoming signing period, Franklin explained why he isn’t anticipating any big flips. “We’re really upfront and transparent, really always have been,” Franklin told reporters, “Sometimes that hurts us where we miss on kids because we don’t tell them what they want to hear. We’re an underpromise, overdeliver program and I think that’s a big part of our success.”
In the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions are ranked only behind No. 2 Ohio State and No. 8 Oregon. However, things can always change when signing day finally comes around. One player flipping his commitment could completely change the complexion of the class and the future of the program.
These are the three players in the 2024 class that Franklin cannot afford to lose if he wants to keep Penn State near the top of the Big Ten.
PSU recruits. . 1. 491. 5-star. Luke Reynolds, TE. player. . Cheshire, CT. Luke Reynolds, TE
Reynolds is Penn State’s only five-star recruit in this class. His commitment appears solid, so there isn’t much concern that he’ll flip on signing day. However, if the crown jewel of the 2024 class did change his mind, it would be devastating to the program.
Penn State is desperate for playmakers on offense and Reynolds is the type of player that could make a difference in Year 1. At 6-foot-4 220 pounds, he will be ready to play 10-15 snaps a game as a pass-catcher and could finish his freshman year with 20-30 catches.
With Theo Johnson off to the NFL and a roster lacking in pass-catchers, those 20-30 catches will be crucial. Down the road, Reynolds will be the centerpiece of Penn State’s offense, possibly like Brock Bowers at Georgia, or Ja’Tavion Sanders at Texas.
Andy Kotelnicki’s offense incorporates tight ends often and he loves big receivers. Kansas’s three leading receivers averaged 6-foot-4 in 2023.