Penn State RB commit Kiandrea Barker shuts down recruitment, reaffirms Nittany Lions pledge
Beebe (Ark.) running back Kiandrea Barker was among the first players to commit to Penn State in the Class of 2025 when he did so in April of 2023. Recently, however, a move back to his home state and recent overtures from a few schools left the status of his pledge in question.
Barker announced on Thursday that he’s firmly on board with the Nittany Lions. He has an official visit scheduled to Penn State on the weekend of June 14.
“I want to thank all the coaches who have recruited me along this process,” he wrote on a social media post. “And all the Penn State coaches [and] staff that’s been showing love since day [one]. With that being said, I want to officially announce that all recruitment is shut down for me and I’m all-in, 110%.”
The 5-foot-11.5, 185-pound prospect was offered by Arkansas in May and was scheduled to take an official visit to Fayetteville this weekend. His statement would indicate those are no longer the plans, though Barker did not confirm that personally. Colorado, Duke and USC were also among the programs that offered this spring.
Top 10
- 1
A Twisted Mess
Big 12 Championship scenarios
- 2Trending
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3Hot
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 4
UConn star hospitalized
Alex Karaban hospitalized at Maui Invitational
- 5
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
Barker is one of three running back commitments for the Nittany Lions in the Class of 2025. He was the first to commit and was later joined by Pennsylvania standout Tiqwai Hayes and Alabama four-star Alvin Henderson. Henderson has also continued to entertain other options. Penn State running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider has been on the case for the Nittany Lions.
Link: Checking in on Penn State’s running back recruiting
The three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 53 running back nationally and the No. 7 prospect in Arkansas according to the On3 Industry rankings, has a lot to prove in his final season at Beebe. He stood out there as a sophomore before moving to Texas for his junior year. He was limited to a handful of carries at The Woodlands due to a transfer eligibility issue. Barker was expected to transfer to Miami Central to play with Penn State quarterback commitment Bekkem Kritza, but instead returned home.
He told BWI after the season that he’s ready to get back in pads.
“Next season, I’m coming hard,” he said. “Everyone’s going to feel me for missing this last season.”
Join Blue-White Illustrated for Market-Leading Penn State Nittany Lions Football coverage!
Blue-White Illustrated provides just what passionate Penn State fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Nittany Lions athletics and recruiting.
Join the best Penn State fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:
- Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love from the experts that you trust.
- Immediate access to any Nittany Lions breaking news.
- Exclusive insider reports and year-round team info as well as board Q&A’s with the BWI staff.
- High-level discourse with the most passionate and informed Nittany Lions fans across multiple board forums.
- Market-leading team analysis for those who are looking to increase their understanding of the ins and outs of Penn State athletics.
- So much more!
SIGN UP and ensure no Nittany Lions information gets by you!
