That's Our Coach Doing Some Thinking

[Charlie1978]

Penn State will emphasize Pennsylvania with next recruiting coordinator hire

Penn State posted an opening for a new recruiting coordinator this week. Part of the new hire's job will be to focus on the Keystone State.

www.on3.com

Few things: first well done Greg with this one. While it's no longer the 20th century when PA high schools cranked out national championship talent year-in, year-out, it is true that 1-5 players each year are true difference makers.

More importantly, our coach, James Franklin is showing that a strong brand does strong things to vanquish the lesser among us. There is no larger mass of inferiority than college football programs other than Penn State. There is so much much power in retaining the best among the natives of PA. The expanse of the BIG to the east coast has eroded our primacy in PA and NJ. Coach is punishing the lesser amongst us in DMV, but all of Lions fans can recognize that if we upgrade our results in PA and NJ, we will have a perennial national playoff team with very reasonable expectations to win it all once in a while. It is time clobbering time at The Pennsylvania State University.

 

[jp3272]

dominate the commonwealth!

 

[Paruffus]

dominate the commonwealth!

Doesn't rhyme, but YEAHHH! LOL

 

[JWB389]

If you read the job description, it doesn't exactly EMPHASIZE Pennsylvania. It certainly singles out PA; but to me, it looks like a pretty generic job posting.

 

[GrimReaper]

Franklin thinking? That's a scary proposition. But at least it'll be clear where to point the finger when PSU's best talent decamps for elsewhere.

Might be one of the worst job postings/descriptions ever written.

Similar job: Mental Health Case Manager

 

[GrimReaper]

If you read the job description, it doesn't exactly EMPHASIZE Pennsylvania. It certainly singles out PA; but to me, it looks like a pretty generic job posting.

Maybe because in most years covering PA isn't exactly a full time job.

Franklin's just getting another body and adding something to differentiate it.

 

[BobPSU92]

We’re screwed.

 

[PSU12046]

Doesn't rhyme, but YEAHHH! LOL

Best NIL megawealth in the Commonwealth

 

[BobPSU92]

Best NIL megawealth in the Commonwealth

Get yinz the millions.

 

[Moogy]

Penn State will emphasize Pennsylvania with next recruiting coordinator hire

Penn State posted an opening for a new recruiting coordinator this week. Part of the new hire's job will be to focus on the Keystone State.

www.on3.com

Few things: first well done Greg with this one. While it's no longer the 20th century when PA high schools cranked out national championship talent year-in, year-out, it is true that 1-5 players each year are true difference makers.

More importantly, our coach, James Franklin is showing that a strong brand does strong things to vanquish the lesser among us. There is no larger mass of inferiority than college football programs other than Penn State. There is so much much power in retaining the best among the natives of PA. The expanse of the BIG to the east coast has eroded our primacy in PA and NJ. Coach is punishing the lesser amongst us in DMV, but all of Lions fans can recognize that if we upgrade our results in PA and NJ, we will have a perennial national playoff team with very reasonable expectations to win it all once in a while. It is time clobbering time at The Pennsylvania State University.

Unfortunately, if the recent trend holds, Pennsylvania will be a veritable wasteland of upper level recruits.

In 2022, PA had 2 top 100 recruits, and 5 top 200.
In 2023, PA has 1 top 100 recruit, and 1 top 200.
In 2024, PA has 2 top 100 recruits, and 3 top 200.

Compare to Ohio (not doing much better, but still):
2022: 5 and 8.
2023: 1 and 5.
2024: 1 and 7.

Compare to Georgia:
2022: 9 and 21.
2023: 5 and 14.
2024: 16 and 30.

And the Georgia kids are some of the very top kids in the nation.

 

[J.E.B]

PSU had a top 5 class in 2018. They were winning on the field and off the field. They were hot! The buzz of the CFB world.

What happened since then? Aside of the 2022 class, they’ve recruited average at best!

PSU has to do a better job regionally. Based on the Rivals database here is how many 4* or better have come from the region and how many kids PSU has secured.

2019 51-10 (25 top 250, PSU got 7)
2020 52-7 (36 top 250, PSU got 3)
2021 52-3 (37 top 250, PSU got 1)
2022 40-9 (19 top 250, PSU got 5)
2023 35-8 (16 top 250, PSU got 6)
2024 44-? (29 top 250, PSU got ?)

They have to do much better especially if numbers are dropping as they have the last three cycles. Recruiting average classes can’t happen like in 2020-21. My god what happened in 2021? To compete with the big dawgs they have to be getting 12-15 kids from their region and they aren’t. Not even close.

Promoting people who have performed like this is not improving the effort. Nothing against the current recruiting team but that’s mediocre at best in today’s CFB. They have to do better!

 

[NittanyPirate]

Unfortunately, if the recent trend holds, Pennsylvania will be a veritable wasteland of upper level recruits.

In 2022, PA had 2 top 100 recruits, and 5 top 200.
In 2023, PA has 1 top 100 recruit, and 1 top 200.
In 2024, PA has 2 top 100 recruits, and 3 top 200.

Compare to Ohio (not doing much better, but still):
2022: 5 and 8.
2023: 1 and 5.
2024: 1 and 7.

Compare to Georgia:
2022: 9 and 21.
2023: 5 and 14.
2024: 16 and 30.

And the Georgia kids are some of the very top kids in the nation.

I’d be interested to see figures on PA prospects playing in the NFL.

 

[Charlie1978]

Unfortunately, if the recent trend holds, Pennsylvania will be a veritable wasteland of upper level recruits.

In 2022, PA had 2 top 100 recruits, and 5 top 200.
In 2023, PA has 1 top 100 recruit, and 1 top 200.
In 2024, PA has 2 top 100 recruits, and 3 top 200.

Compare to Ohio (not doing much better, but still):
2022: 5 and 8.
2023: 1 and 5.
2024: 1 and 7.

Compare to Georgia:
2022: 9 and 21.
2023: 5 and 14.
2024: 16 and 30.

And the Georgia kids are some of the very top kids in the nation.

outstanding added perspective, thanks. My poorly made point is that every top PA recruit should either come to PSU or his decision is PSU and someother perrenial powerhouse. The Minkah Fitspatrick and D'Andre Swift examples gave me red ***.

 

[Train027]

I remember Coach declared the recruiting state of Penn State included New Jersey, Virginia, and DC. That is a good base.

 

[TiogaLion]

Hiring freeze?

 

[GrimReaper]

outstanding added perspective, thanks. My poorly made point is that every top PA recruit should either come to PSU or his decision is PSU and someother perrenial powerhouse. The Minkah Fitspatrick and D'Andre Swift examples gave me red ***.

Minkah Fitzpatrick isn't from PA.

 

[Penn State Pigskin 2023]

Unfortunately, if the recent trend holds, Pennsylvania will be a veritable wasteland of upper level recruits.

In 2022, PA had 2 top 100 recruits, and 5 top 200.
In 2023, PA has 1 top 100 recruit, and 1 top 200.
In 2024, PA has 2 top 100 recruits, and 3 top 200.

Compare to Ohio (not doing much better, but still):
2022: 5 and 8.
2023: 1 and 5.
2024: 1 and 7.

Compare to Georgia:
2022: 9 and 21.
2023: 5 and 14.
2024: 16 and 30.

And the Georgia kids are some of the very top kids in the nation.

Getting the “right” recruits isn’t simply about rankings no matter what Commonwealth / State they live in. There is that pesky ‘character’ matter that is more important to PS than to some others.

 

[psuno1]

I remember Coach declared the recruiting state of Penn State included New Jersey, Virginia, and DC. That is a good base.

Need to get more kids from New Jersey hope this will help with that. 3 All Americans since Franklin got here is not going to cut it need more game changing talent to beat UM OSU UGA and Bama.

 

[Charlie1978]

Minkah Fitzpatrick isn't from PA.

Yes I know but I consider NJ to be PA when it comes to recruiting given how generationally pathetic Rutgers is

 

[DTownlion57]

Need to get more kids from New Jersey hope this will help with that. 3 All Americans since Franklin got here is not going to cut it need more game changing talent to beat UM OSU UGA and Bama.

I've been saying this for the last 4-5 recruiting cycles. Other than PA, NJ was always big recruiting area for PSU, not so much anymore.
We've done a very good job in states like VA but that will change as Mack Brown and Brent Pry continue to work the high schools. OSU/MI/ND the SEC is really expanded their footprint into New England, NY and NJ. The numbers don't lie. I'd would always prefer to be involved in a Mid-Atlantic/ NE recruit than GA or Florida all things equal. I think once the NIL situation is worked out we need to go back a dominate the NE from VA to Maine.

 

[BrucePa]

Let's keep this simple. Look at 2021, for example:

Top 25 Pennsylvania high school football players from the Class of 2021

MaxPreps News - Defensive talent dominates Keystone State's top high school football prospects.

www.maxpreps.com

Nolan Rucci at #1 went to Wisconsin
Kyle McCord at #2 went to Ohio State
Jeremiah Trotter at #3 went to Clemson
Marvin Harrison Jr at #5 went to Ohio State

You have to go to #10 to find the first one to go to Penn State.

That's pretty darned unacceptable. Time to actually dominate the state.

 

[DTownlion57]

Yes I know but I consider NJ to be PA when it comes to recruiting given how generationally pathetic Rutgers is

Actually NJ now belongs to ND, and Michigan. In the last 4 cycles only Ta'Quan Roberson and Caedan Wallace our only 4 star recruits from NJ and that was 2019. Maybe because I remember when NJ was a big contributor to PSU I find it interesting that PSU is not an option for the top 10 talent from NJ. Maybe we need a assistant coach from Bergen/Bosco/St Peters on the PSU recruiting staff. Just a thought.

 

[DTownlion57]

Minkah Fitzpatrick isn't from PA.

St Peters Prep...Thats OK the Jersey kids should always have PSU in their top 2-3 schools.

 

[DTownlion57]

Getting the “right” recruits isn’t simply about rankings no matter what Commonwealth / State they live in. There is that pesky ‘character’ matter that is more important to PS than to some others.

Understood, but I'm using OSU/MI and ND as a "character" measurement. If they are good enough to get a MI or ND offer It's good enough for PSU. I understand the T A&M, Ole Miss commits.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Let's keep this simple. Look at 2021, for example:

Top 25 Pennsylvania high school football players from the Class of 2021

MaxPreps News - Defensive talent dominates Keystone State's top high school football prospects.

www.maxpreps.com

Nolan Rucci at #1 went to Wisconsin
Kyle McCord at #2 went to Ohio State
Jeremiah Trotter at #3 went to Clemson
Marvin Harrison Jr at #5 went to Ohio State

You have to go to #10 to find the first one to go to Penn State.

That's pretty darned unacceptable. Time to actually dominate the state.

Agree with your thought but interestingly Rucci just completed his second season at Wisky and is not playing or playing very little whereas Shelton stepped in and played well as a true frosh.

 

[GrimReaper]

St Peters Prep...Thats OK the Jersey kids should always have PSU in their top 2-3 schools.

Why, because you say so? While PSU has historically in NJ, it has never exercised exclusivity over it. That there is no strong affinity for Rutgers doesn't mean that it automatically flow to PSU. Take a look at basketball recruiting.

 

[Woodpecker]

Let's keep this simple. Look at 2021, for example:

Top 25 Pennsylvania high school football players from the Class of 2021

MaxPreps News - Defensive talent dominates Keystone State's top high school football prospects.

www.maxpreps.com

Nolan Rucci at #1 went to Wisconsin
Kyle McCord at #2 went to Ohio State
Jeremiah Trotter at #3 went to Clemson
Marvin Harrison Jr at #5 went to Ohio State

You have to go to #10 to find the first one to go to Penn State.

That's pretty darned unacceptable. Time to actually dominate the state.

So how would you have gotten those players to come to Penn State?

 

[BrucePa]

So how would you have gotten those players to come to Penn State?

By dominating the state?

 

[Woodpecker]

By dominating the state?

Yes, that is the stated goal; what is your strategy?

 

[GrimReaper]

Yes, that is the stated goal; what is your strategy?

The goal is Franklin's, so the strategy and its execution have to be Franklin's. Old Main ain't paying me and Bruce (well, I can't speak for Bruce but I know they ain't payin' me). Whatever it is, it could be working better.

 

[psuro]

Yes I know but I consider NJ to be PA when it comes to recruiting given how generationally pathetic Rutgers is

 

[Woodpecker]

The goal is Franklin's, so the strategy and its execution have to be Franklin's. Old Main ain't paying me and Bruce (well, I can't speak for Bruce but I know they ain't payin' me). Whatever it is, it could be working better.

OK, I'm just trying to understand what people think should be done to change a kid's mind from going to a school of his choice. I'm not saying Bruce or you are responsible for determining what should be done but, especially if someone is critical of a course of action, I'd like to hear from them what alternatives should have been attempted.

 

[GrimReaper]

OK, I'm just trying to understand what people think should be done to change a kids mind from going to a school of his choice. I'm not saying Bruce or you are responsible for determining what should be done but, especially if someone is critical of a course of action, I'd like to hear from them what alternatives should have been attempted.

I get it. Here's my three cents. Hiring a warm body ain't gonna make a difference, when there are already seven dedicated. Success will. Win games, titles, develop more first-rounders and recruits will come.

The other alternative is to be able to dole out more NIL money that the competition.

 

[BrucePa]

OK, I'm just trying to understand what people think should be done to change a kid's mind from going to a school of his choice. I'm not saying Bruce or you are responsible for determining what should be done but, especially if someone is critical of a course of action, I'd like to hear from them what alternatives should have been attempted.

Well, considering that Rucci's parents, both of them, were Penn State sports stars, and that Littiz is about 2 hours from State College, I would suggest that maybe showing even a hint of interest in Rucci's brother might have changed the equation.

 

[GregInPitt]

Well, considering that Rucci's parents, both of them, were Penn State sports stars, and that Littiz is about 2 hours from State College, I would suggest that maybe showing even a hint of interest in Rucci's brother might have changed the equation.

Yep, except that you have no idea of exactly what interest Franklin and his staff might have actually shown Rucci's brother.

And showing interest in a player that the staff has evaluating as being not a take is wasteful beyond being courteous which it seems Franklin and his staff do as a default. And given the fact that the Rucci family members were very familiar with the recruiting process and their ability to understand the process more so than parents without athletic backgrounds, showing false signs of interest would likely have been recognized and worked against PSU anyway.

 

[PSUFTG]

People concerned about recruiting have every reason to look at NJ (relative to historical norms, PSU's NJ haul has been a wasteland under Franklin - just what it is - have no idea why).

But, more so, folks should be concerned with "Florida"
Remember how PSU - by bringing in Seider - was going to become a legit competitor for Florida recruits?
For all of the time, and effort, and number of scholarships, PSU has devoted to Florida: the last significant contributor PSU got from the Sunshine State was way back in Franklin's first year - when they used a late scholarship to sign an underrecruited kid named Owarisomethingorother (who became a real solid CB).
Since then? Lots of time and effort - quite a few scholarships - and not a single meaningful contributor (most of those they signed - maybe all - transferred out to other schools in relatively short order). Why? Who knows - but that's a heck of a lot of asset investment for squat results.

Cain - RB (transferred out early)
Holmes - RB (transferred out early)
Lee - RB (transferring out)
Dunmore - WR (transferred out early)
Smith - WR (transferred out early)
Culpepper - DL (transferred out early)
Minor - DB (never played: injury)

Did I miss any? All of those kids were - according to the recruiting enthusiasts - high quality prospects.

Will any of the kids signed in the last year or so (Miller, Durant, Washington, maybe a couple more) make a meaningful contribution? Who knows. Will any even stick around?

More or less a decade of time and effort - and a lot of scholarships. Something has to change, for sure.

 

[Charlie1978]

People concerned about recruiting have every reason to look at NJ (relative to historical norms, PSU's NJ haul has been a wasteland under Franklin - just what it is - have no idea why).

But, more so, folks should be concerned with "Florida"
Remember how PSU - by bringing in Seider - was going to become a legit competitor for Florida recruits?
For all of the time, and effort, and number of scholarships, PSU has devoted to Florida: the last significant contributor PSU got from the Sunshine State was way back in Franklin's first year - when they used a late scholarship to sign an underrecruited kid named Owarisomethingorother (who became a real solid CB).
Since then? Lots of time and effort - quite a few scholarships - and not a single meaningful contributor (most of those they signed - maybe all - transferred out to other schools in relatively short order). Why? Who knows - but that's a heck of a lot of asset investment for squat results.

Cain - RB (transferred out early)
Holmes - RB (transferred out early)
Lee - RB (transferring out)
Dunmore - WR (transferred out early)
Smith - WR (transferred out early)
Culpepper - DL (transferred out early)
Minor - DB (never played: injury)

Did I miss any? All of those kids were - according to the recruiting enthusiasts - high quality prospects.

Will any of the kids signed in the last year or so (Miller, Durant, Washington, maybe a couple more) make a meaningful contribution? Who knows. Will any even stick around?

More or less a decade of time and effort - and a lot of scholarships. Something has to change, for sure.

well now another great contribution. thanks and yes the attrition rate is higher than we would like but at least none of these are Joe Burrow getting kicked to LSU and winning a national championship. With that said, the GA, SC, NC and AL efforts have grown and once we figure how to stop loosing top portal players from dumpster fire schools, I am sure we will be fine.