Another year, another top-25 recruiting class for Penn State.

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions welcomed a new group of recruits to the program Wednesday, as 25 commits signed their letters of intent to play football for Penn State.

After the signing day festivities, Franklin and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft took the stand to discuss Penn State’s recruiting class and big-picture subject matter within Penn State Athletics.

On The Recruiting Class As A Whole

Franklin said he felt comfortable with the class he brought in this year. Penn State recruited a class ranked No. 14 in the country, per the 247Sports Composite. It’s the third straight year Penn State’s finished with top-20 recruiting classes in the country after the Nittany Lions finished No. 14 last year and No. 6 the year prior.

The Nittany Lions almost finished with enough players, and the right players, to field a full football team. From this recruiting class, Penn State could put 11 starting offensive players and 10 starting defensive players on the field to compete (the program only signed two linebackers). A gaping hole at wide receiver now has a bit more talent to fill the void, and Franklin brought in two top running backs and another top Ohio quarterback prospect.

“I think if you look at our class, it’s pretty well-rounded,” Franklin said. “We were really able to fill needs at every position, as well as signing so we can continue to develop across the board. I thought our length in this class is better than what it’s typically been.”

Penn State also finished the recruiting calendar with little surprises. Most of the class had committed to Penn State over the summer, and the last addition to the class came in October. No one flipped on signing day, which is more than can be said for quite a few schools across college football.

“I want to thank the staff. In 2023, there’s a lot to be said for a drama-free signing day,” Franklin said. “Again, I think we take that for granted. I think it’s very telling about the staff and how thorough and detailed we are. I think it’s very telling about our process; that we don’t pressure guys to commit.” 

On In-State Recruiting

Once again, Franklin brought in the top-rated player in Pennsylvania. It follows a pledge he made when he first arrived at Penn State when he said he’d “dominate the state” in recruiting. Soon after, Saquon Barkley flipped from Rutgers.

This year, Franklin brought in Quinton Martin Jr., a running back from Belle Vernon. Martin, as Franklin described him, was a low-maintenance recruit. Once Martin committed to Penn State, he stopped entertaining other schools and was locked into high school ball and ultimately playing for the Nittany Lions.

“As you guys know, from literally my first press conference, we are going to make Pennsylvania a priority. I think we did a really good job of that the last couple years,” Franklin said. “That continues to be a priority for us. We want the best players in PA to stay in PA, and specifically, at Penn State.”

“The best players in Pennsylvania need to stay in Pennsylvania, and they need to come to Penn State,” Franklin said later.

On Tampering & NIL In College Football

One of the press conferences’ most notable moments came from Kraft, who openly spoke about tampering in college football.

“I’ll give you a perfect example. We were in Las Vegas for Olu’s award,” Kraft said. “On our way there, we got an e-mail of eight athletes, one of which was our own, who was not in the portal, and an agent was saying, ‘Hey, are you interested in him?'”

“I was not very happy that was happening and went to the NCAA officials there and shared it with them,” Kraft continued. “We are trying to communicate everything we see but it’s hard because some people are showing it to you, some people aren’t, and it’s just a really difficult spot to be in.”

Tampering has long existed in college football, but conversations about the topic have only spiked in importance with the rise of NIL and the transfer portal. Kraft said it’s been a frequent talking point among coaches and athletic directors who run so much of college football.

On Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer

Since he committed to Penn State, Ethan Grunkemeyer’s status has risen through the roof. Originally a three-star commit, Grunkemeyer’s stock took off after his performance in the Elite Eight tournament. Still, Penn State was one of his more serious offers before other schools hopped on the bandwagon, and the kid who grew up minutes from Ohio State’s campus will be a Nittany Lion.

Grunkemeyer, Franklin said, will have the chance to compete for the starting job at Penn State his freshman year, though that statement applies to every player with the program. More likely, Grunkemeyer will sit behind Drew Allar in the way Allar did with Sean Clifford as Grunkemeyer learns his role within the program.

“Again, these are the types of conversations we have had as well and he understands,” Franklin said. “I think he and Drew have a relationship, and that helps, too. But that position, as we all know, is the most important position, probably in all of sports, and specifically in college football, in terms of competing for championships, conference and national.” 

Still, after Allar leaves for the NFL — whenever that will be — Grunkemeyer will have to fight with Beau Pribula and freshman Jaxon Smolik for the starting role. Still, Franklin seemed to give Grunkemeyer his endorsement as Penn State’s quarterback of the future after Allar’s time is up.

On Renovations To Athletic Buildings

Sitting in the background of Penn State’s goals for the future have been the plans for Beaver Stadium, the Lasch Building, and a few other locations. Kraft said designs for Beaver Stadium were around 30% complete but didn’t hint the school would be behind schedule for the planned 2025 start date. Kraft also added he hasn’t yet briefed President Neeli Bendapudi and the Board of Trustees.

Franklin and the rest of the football staff have also begun moving their offices from the Lasch Building, which is set to go under renovation after everyone moves out on Saturday.

Kraft also noted Jeffery Field, Penn State’s soccer stadium, is 95% complete with its plans. The stadium is due to see upgrades to and additions of locker rooms, athletic and strength training spaces, team meeting rooms, office suites, concessions, and bathrooms.

The East Area Locker Room, a student-athlete space near Holuba Hall and Pegula Ice Arena, is also set to improve nutrition centers, strength performance centers, and more.

On Using Beaver Stadium For Non-Football Events

Using Beaver Stadium for events other than football games isn’t a new concept, and Penn State already has plans to host Luke Combs on April 27. Kraft was directly asked about the possibility of hosting an NHL Winter Classic game, which Kraft noted was a possibility with the stadium’s winterization.

Kraft said there will be other opportunities past Combs and NHL games, but those have yet to be finalized.

“We have got to continue to use this build to generate revenue. I’ve told you, I love this building. It’s time we open the doors,” Kraft said. “There are other things outside of just hockey that I’m not yet privy to tell you; I’m very transparent, but it’s not done.”