2026 recruiting target: Penn State football has ‘one of the best fanbases’

The Blue-White Game provided the opportunity for recruits to return to or visit campus for the first time. Showing the student-athletes what a game-like atmosphere would be like in Happy Valley. One of the prospects that visited the Nittany Lions this past weekend was Carter Scruggs from the 2026 recruiting class. His takeaway from Penn State football and its fan base should make fans excited for his future.

Penn State has ‘one of the best fanbases’ according to 2026 target

For the second time in his recruitment, 2026 recruiting class member and IOL Carter Scruggs returned to Happy Valley. Scruggs was a visitor for the Blue-White Game this past weekend. Standing at 6-5 275 pounds the Leesburg, VA native is a four-star prospect in the 2026 cycle according to On3.

Penn State football is actively battling Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and North Carolina for Scruggs and his recruitment. Following his Penn State visit he connected with Ryan Snyder of Blue White Illustrated and shared his thoughts on the Blue-White Game.

“They have one of the best fanbases in the country,” Scruggs said.

2026 QB priority prospect

The Nittany Lions have made slow progress on the 2026 recruiting class. However, they have tons of time to recruit and sign talented prospects. Currently, Messiah Mickens stands alone in the 2026 class for Penn State and he returned to campus this past weekend for a visit as well.

But where Penn State will need to focus a lot of its attention and effort is at the quarterback position. The Nittany Lions were let down when they missed on 2025 recruiting target and No. 1 QB in PA Matt Zollers as he made his commitment to Missouri. An option James Franklin has now is to focus on a top 2026 QB prospect.

Insert Dia Bell who ranks as the No. 2 QB in the 2026 recruiting class. Bell did not return to Happy Valley for the Blue-White Game, however, he has taken 3 visits to Penn State with the latest coming at the end of March. If the Nittany Lions do not sign a 2025 QB then the relationship with Bell becomes that much more important.

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