Recruiting News: PA No. 1 Quarterback back at Penn State after multiple SEC visits, 3-star linebacker commits

This offseason isn’t just about building the 2024 roster, for James Franklin, it’s about securing the future of the program beyond that. Matt Zollers, the No. 1 quarterback in Pennsylvania in the 2025 high school class appears to be a big part of those plans. Franklin offered Zollers back in November, but lately, he’s been garnering attention down south. 

In January, Zollers received offers from four SEC schools, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and Missouri. He also took a trip to visit USF, Florida, and Georgia. 

Despite the growing interest from southern schools, in February, he came back home to the Keystone State and this past weekend was back on campus for Penn State’s Junior Day. According to 247 Sports this is Zollers third time on visiting. 

Zollers is the ninth-ranked quarterback in the country and is the third-highest-ranked uncommitted quarterback in the 2025 class. Penn State already has a commitment from three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza out of Boulder Colorado. 

Franklin and the coaching staff are still waiting on a decision from Zollers, but they did receive a commitment from three-star linebacker Alex Tatsch after Junior Day. Tatsch’s recruiting was heating up with a recent offer from Notre Dame, but the in-state linebacker chose Penn State over the Fighting Irish, Pitt, USC, and Michigan State to name a few. 

Tatsch, from Greater Latrobe PA, is the ninth commit for Penn State in the 2025 class and is the second linebacker. So far, the Nittany Lions’ top recruit in 2025 is four-star linebacker DJ McClary from Jersey City.

Franklin often says, “the best in PA, stay in PA” however after Tatsch’s commitment, Penn State has only secured two of the top 10 players in PA for the 2025 class and the No. 1 player Zahir Mathis is committed to Ohio State.