Where Penn State’s 2027 recruiting class ranks nationally

It seemed like Penn State would need at least a season or two to rebuild their recruiting reputation after removing James Franklin as head coach back in October. The polarizing coach couldn’t get his old school over the hump, but fans knew they could count on elite groups of prospects joining the team from year to year.

Now, just under five months into his tenure, new coach Matt Campbell has dismantled the notion that the Nittany Lions would need time to build quality recruiting classes. He’s secured commitments from 14 athletes over the last month from the Class of 2027, putting Penn State’s future rosters on a pedestal along with some other high-profile teams.

247Sports, a highly respected recruiting service, updated their national rankings for the Class of 2027, placing the Nittany Lions at No. 4. This new spot on the list comes after commitments on back-to-back days from three-star wide receiver Jamir Dean and top-100 defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery.

The 2026 Penn State team may not have a ton of blue-chip talent, but they surely will have some for years to come. For over a decade, the school has been bullied by other Big Ten powerhouses like Michigan and Ohio State, but now the only team in the conference with better 2027 recruits is the .