There are ripple effects to firing a coach, and the first ones are often seen on the recruiting trail. James Franklin’s 2027 recruiting class was already beginning to splinter heading into the weekend, with the surprise de-commitment of four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor and five-star running back Kemon Spell’s statement that he was no longer “100% with Penn State,” but since the program moved on from its veteran head coach, the class has fractured.
All four 2027 recruits have de-committed from the program, an expected turn after the unexpected firing. Much of the 2026 class, though much closer to their signing day, is reconsidering their options, too.