Elite 2026 Penn State RB commit Messiah Mickens poses with Nittany Lions great
Harrisburg (Pa.) Trinity four-star running back Messiah Mickens committed to Penn State back in August, kicking off the Nittany Lions’ 2026 pledge list with a bang.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder is a top-25 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and remains locked in with the in-state Big Ten program. He returned to Happy Valley this weekend and got to link up with one of the best PSU tailbacks of all time.
Mickens posed alongside newly-inked Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley on Saturday:
Mickens was a frequent visitor at Penn State last fall and has now made multiple trips already this year. His relationships with James Franklin and the Nittany Lions staff ultimately made his decision to commit an easy one.
“How they treat me and family when we come up,” Mickens told On3 of PSU upon his commitment. “Also my position coach, I love what he does with his running backs and how he uses them. Also, just being in my hometown, my family can make most of all the games and play for your state when it’s big time football. Just feels like home everytime I go and I’ve been around a lot of colleges. My heart is just in state college.”
Mickens is the No. 25 overall prospect and No. 2 burner in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked junior in Pennsylvania.
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In the 2025 cycle, the Nittany Lions already have 12 commits — the second most in the nation, behind only Notre Dame. Franklin and his staff continue to make hay recruiting in Pennsylvania and the Northeast.
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The linebacker room is set to be stacked in Happy Valley. The three highest-ranked commits in the fold for PSU are all LBs. Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder four-star DJ McClary headlines as a top-150 overall prospect.
McClary is flanked by Latrobe (Pa.) Greater four-star Alex Tatsch and Pittsburgh Imani Christian four-star Dayshaun Burnett. Tatsch was one of the biggest risers in Monday’s updated 2025 On300 rankings, as he jumped all the way to No. 52 overall.
Pittsburgh North Catholic four-star tight end Brady O’Hara is a top-25 player at his position. Beebe (Ark.) The Woodlands three-star running back Kiandrea Barker and Aliquippa (Pa.) three-star RB Tiqwai Hayes provide some firepower in the backfield.
Other top commits include Canonsburg (Pa.) Central Catholic three-star cornerback Xxavier Thomas, Boulder (Colo.) Fairview three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza and Avon (Conn.) Old Farms three-star offensive tackle Owen Aliciene.