Penn State football: Top offensive commit back on campus amid flip rumors

The top offensive commitment for Penn State football returned to campus this weekend following speculation of a potential flip to the SEC. Alabama running back Alvin Henderson was back in town for his official visit with the Nittany Lions after growing rumors throughout May that he would flip his commitment to in-state Auburn.

The visit was only the second to Happy Valley for Henderson, committing to James Franklin and Penn State football after his first trip in April.

“I want to do something special in a state besides Bama and continue the tradition that Penn State has each and every year at the RB position! 334>814,” Henderson said in his commitment announcement.

Even though he’s already a member of the 2025 recruiting class, this weekend’s official visit gave James Franklin and the Penn State football staff another chance to make their case to Henderson.

#WEARE PENN STATE fans i’m HOME 🦁🏡@PennStateFball @PSULawnBoyz @coachjfranklin @coachseider @CoachCBW 📍 pic.twitter.com/vkYJns8dSC

— "𝐀" 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 2️⃣ 𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 (@AlHenderson_1) June 14, 2024

It also gave the four-star prospect a chance to get some face time with other members of the 2025 recruiting class, such as quarterback commit Bekkem Kritza.

Penn State commits Alvin Henderson and Bekkem Kritza checking in at their OV's 🔥@PennStateRivals | @AlHenderson_1 | @stretch2025 | @JohnGarcia_Jr pic.twitter.com/O1IzJzqdwg

— Rivals (@Rivals) June 15, 2024

Alvin Henderson is the No. 8 running back and a top 150 prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, per On3’s Industry Rankings.

Auburn “willing to do whatever they have to do” to flip Alvin Henderson

While Alvin Henderson’s commitment was a massive recruiting win for Penn State football, the distance, plus the persistent pursuit from Hugh Freeze and Auburn, never removed the Tigers from the picture.

This proved evident when Henderson popped up unannounced on Auburn’s campus in mid-May.

Henderson hasn’t shied away from the attention given by the Tigers, either. In May, he told Rivals that Auburn is “willing to do whatever they have to do” to flip his commitment.

“Well, I think that there’s a lot of confidence around The Plains that ultimately Alvin Henderson will be a Tiger,” On3 recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong said in May. “But I think there was also confidence in that in the spring prior to him committing to Penn State.

“It’s going to be hard for Penn State to hang on to him even though coach [Ja’Juan] Seider is one of the best running back coaches in the country and one of the best recruiters. It’s still going to be a tall task to hang on to him.”

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Henderson remains steadfast in his commitment, telling Blue-White Illustrated after his visit, “Coach Franklin and Seider know that I am locked in.”

The Nittany Lions commit currently doesn’t have an official visit scheduled to Auburn in the June window. Following his official visit with Penn State football this weekend, Henderson is expected to travel to South Beach for a visit with Miami this upcoming week.

Penn State football has new top recruit in the 2025 recruiting cycle

Until last week, Alvin Henderson was the top commit for Penn State football in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Now, that title is held by Mater Dei (California) corner Daryus Dixson, who committed to James Franklin and the Nittany Lions on June 10.

A four-star, Dixson is ranked as the No. 90 overall prospect and the No. 10 cornerback nationally in 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.

If those rankings hold, Dixson will be Penn State’s highest-rated cornerback commitment since 2017, when Lamont Wade finished No. 43 in the 247Sports Composite.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation! Please follow us on all of our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube) and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media.