Penn State has lost 24 commits since firing James Franklin in October and is amid the most embarrassing start to the Early Signing Period of any program in the country. With just two commits left in the 2026 class and no head coach in place, Penn State’s class ranks last in the Big Ten and 150th in the country behind South Dakota State and McNeese.
Yet, whoever is currently running the operation and leading the recruiting into what has now become the de facto national signing day has avoided getting shut out. Despite the uncertainty in Happy Valley, in-state four-star edge rusher Jackson Ford signed with the program on Wednesday, and his faith in the Nittany Lions turning things around might be unmatched.