Part 8/11:
The landscape of recruiting has transformed in recent years, primarily due to NIL (name, image, likeness) and the transfer portal. Top prospects can now entertain multiple visits and decommit with relative ease, knowing they have options. This has made programs like Penn State vulnerable, especially when they are competing against traditional recruiting giants like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Penn State’s position is further complicated because they have rarely secured top 10 players so far in advance, and these early commitments have become a double-edged sword. The recent pattern of decommitments illustrates how volatile recruiting can be in this new era, demanding that programs adapt quickly and refine their approaches.