For the second-straight year on National Signing Day, Penn State football will host “The Signature Event” to announce the players of the 2015 recruiting class. After holding last year’s event in the Bryce Jordan Center, fans can attend for free this year at Rec Hall on Feb. 4.

Similiar to last year’s “Signature Event” hosted by LaVar Arrington, Franklin will speak about each of member of Penn State’s Class of 2015 and the student-athletes who enrolled in classes earlier this month, including four-star offensive tackles Sterling Jenkins and Paris Palmer, as well as three-star dual threat quarterback Tommy Stevens. Video highlights and biographical information on each signee will be shown on the Rec Hall videoboards while Franklin speaks.

The 2015 recruiting class has 20 players verbally committed and is ranked No. 12 in the nation by Rivals, second in the Big Ten behind only defending National Champions Ohio State (No. 7).

Of course, it woudn’t be a James Franklin-hosted event without some additional fanfare. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Signature Event poster, while T-shirts will be passed out to the crowd throughout the night. The Penn State Blue Band, the Nittany Lion, cheerleaders and Lionettes dance team also will participate in the rally, as well as members of “Nittanyville,” Penn State’s student-run campsite during football season outside Gate A at Beaver Stadium. In addition, the football coaching staff will be in attendance.

After an up-and-d0wn season that included a near upset of the eventual National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes in a 31-24 double overtime loss at Beaver Stadium, Franklin finished his inaugural campaign with a 7-5 record, becoming just the third head coach in program history to win at least seven games in his first season. The Nittany Lions capped off their season in dramatic fashion, defeating Boston College 31-30 in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Sam Ficken’s walk-off extra point in overtime.

Following three seasons with scholarship reductions due to the now-repealed NCAA sanctions, Penn State is in desperate need of new talent. With the departure of underclassmen starters Deion Barnes, Jesse James, and Donovan Smith to the NFL, as well as graduating seniors Adrian Amos, Mike Hull, Miles Dieffenbach, and C.J. Olanyian, the Nittany Lions return 15 starters (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), and 14 additional players who have started, for the 2015 season.

Photo: Bobby Chen