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Penn State Recruiting in Disarray as Franklin Poaches Staff for Virginia Tech

State College, PA – December 3, 2025 – Penn State’s football program is facing a recruiting crisis as the early signing period looms. Since the firing of head coach James Franklin in October, the Nittany Lions’ recruiting efforts have plummeted, while Franklin is leveraging his new position at Virginia Tech to his advantage.

Penn State is currently projected to have the 130th-ranked recruiting class for 2026, a stark contrast to Virginia Tech, which is on track for the 32nd-best class under Franklin.

Interim head coach Terry Smith publicly voiced concerns last month about the impact of the coaching vacancy on recruiting, warning that uncertainty was driving recruits away. Smith also acknowledged the threat of Franklin actively recruiting Penn State players, a fear that appears to be materializing.

According to sources, Franklin is actively targeting his former Penn State assistants to join him at Virginia Tech. On3’s Pete Nakos reports that Franklin is considering making current Penn State tight ends coach Ty Howle the offensive coordinator for the Hokies. Further staff defections could occur after Penn State’s bowl game, with Smith himself leaving the door open to a move to Blacksburg.

Penn State is reportedly courting BYU head coach Kalani Sitake to fill the permanent head coaching position. However, even if Sitake is hired quickly, Franklin has already gained a significant head start in recruiting, benefiting from the uncertainty in State College.

The situation is further complicated by the potential for players to enter the transfer portal in the coming weeks, potentially leading to further roster instability for the Nittany Lions.

The unfolding events represent a significant challenge for Penn State as they seek to rebuild their program and compete in the Big Ten Conference.

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