James Franklin arrives to state championship game by helicopter

Philadelphia Imhotep Charter is playing Gibsonia (Penn.) Pine-Richland on Friday night in the PIAA Class 5A championship game. One of the game’s attendees is Penn State head coach James Franklin.

Franklin arrived to the playoff contest in style. That is because he flew there in a helicopter.

James Franklin has arrived via helicopter for tonight’s PIAA 5A championship game at Cumberland Valley High School between Pine-Richland and Imhotep Charter pic.twitter.com/jhaaT8240D

— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) December 9, 2022

The Nittany Lions are not playing until January, when they take on Utah in the Rose Bowl. As a result, Franklin and his staff are visiting prospects and on the recruiting trail.

Imhotep Institute has some of the game’s most talented players, who all hold Penn State offers. They are Michigan four-star linebacker commit Semaj Bridgeman, three-star safety Rahmir Stewart and 2025 four-star defensive lineman Zahir Mathis.

For more Penn State recruiting intel, check out BlueWhiteIllustrated.

Right now, Penn State’s 2023 recruiting class is No. 14 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 in the Big Ten. The group is led by Reading (Penn.) Wyomissing four-star interior offensive lineman Jven Williams.

Penn State also has one 2024 commitment. Erie (Penn.) McDowell four-star interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins chose the Nittany Lions on Jan. 29.