Penn State building recruiting momentum after shutout win over Iowa

Penn State continued its stellar start to the 2023 season on Saturday night, as it downed Iowa 31-0 in the annual White Out at Beaver Stadium. As the Nittany Lions continue to challenge Ohio State and Michigan for the top spot in the Big Ten, they’re also making waves on the recruiting trail.

Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder four-star linebacker DJ McClary pledged on Sunday following his visit over the weekend. The blue-chipper is a top-10 LB in the 2025 cycle — per the On3 Industry Ranking. On Monday, 2025 Aliquippa (Pa.) three-star running back Tiqwai Hayes entered the fold after also being in Happy Valley for the win.

The Nittany Lions currently have the No. 12 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking, and also a top-10 class in the 2025 cycle. As James Franklin and Co. continue to roll, Blue and White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz joined The Inside Scoop to discuss what the White Out win means for the future of Penn State recruiting and more.

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Penn State backing up its recruiting pitch

“It was pretty phenomenal, it was one of the better ones i’ve been to, despite the conditions. That’s really what’s going to stick. If you’re talking to recruits, it’s all about the atmosphere, and then Penn State went out there and imposed its will on an Iowa team that has a pretty tough reputation,” Fitz told Josh Newberg.

Like many coaches around the country, Franklin has carried the “hard hat and lunch pail” mentality to the recruiting trail, using the hard-nosed brand that Penn State has built for itself as a pitch to some of the top prospects in the nation. Results like last weekend’s only reaffirm that brand, backing up what the Nittany Lions’ staff is preaching to its targets.

“That pitch that they put out there that Penn State is going to be a physical football team, they’re going to run the football, but on top of that, they’re going to make plays,” Fitz said. “Little bit of everything, offense, defense, what we’re hearing from recruits, really complete team win which translates into showing that vision that James Franklin’s been preaching to them.”

Momentum could lead to pledge from 4-star EDGE

While the 2025 class is now officially off and running, there’s still some work to be done this cycle, as the Nittany Lions seek a top-10 recruiting class. One of Penn State’s top targets remaining on the board is Potomac (Md.) Quince Orchard four-star EDGE Jaylen Harvey.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder was also in attendance at the White Out over the weekend, his 11th documented visit. USC is the main competition for the blue-chipper, but according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), Penn State has a 92.1% chance to earn his pledge.

Harvey is the No. 350 overall prospect and No. 29 EDGE in the 2024 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Harvey told WeAreSC that a commitment was likely to come in October, but Fitz isn’t writing anything off until pen meets paper at the end of the year.

“He’s one that it feels like it won’t be over until December,” Fitz said. “It seems like a Penn State-USC battle, and after last night I think Penn State reiterated what they’ve been doing with (Harvey) for years now. Getting back, seeing the atmosphere, being a priority — James Franklin went over to him after the game and saw him out and made sure that he was a priority … USC is definitely a strong player in this, but Penn State has been there for so long.”

Belle Vernon (Pa.) four-star athlete Quinton Martin headlines Penn State’s 2024 class, checking in as the No. 47 recruit in the cycle. Westford (Mass.) Cheshire Academy four-star tight end Luke Reynolds and Brookline (Mass.) Dexter four-star athlete Liam Andrews are also top-100 pledges. In total, the class consists of 24 commits, 15 of whom are four-stars.