James Franklin: Penn State will ‘battle’ for top recruit in PA for 2025

Last week, James Franklin and Penn State football wrapped up another drama-free National Signing Day for the 2024 cycle. The Nittany Lions landed several of the top prospects in the Mid-Atlantic region, including the No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania, Quinton Martin. Martin’s signing marks the third consecutive year that Penn State has landed the top player from the Keystone State. But the Nittany Lions’ mantra, “the best in PA, stay in PA,” appears to be in jeopardy with Zahir Mathis, the state’s top player in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

On National Signing Day, Franklin discussed his commitment to recruiting the region, and made a pledge that Mathis will ultimately end up a Nittany Lion.

The best in PA, stay in PA

Penn State football closed out the 2024 recruiting cycle with a top-15 class on National Signing Day last Wednesday. While there are many players to be excited about, perhaps no future Nittany Lion is as dynamic of a playmaker as Quinton Martin. The Belle Vernon athlete finished his high school career with over 3,500 total yards and 55 touchdowns in the last two seasons.

Martin continues a three-year streak of the No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania signing with the Nittany Lions. In the 2023 cycle, Franklin landed five-star OT J’ven Williams. In 2022, it was Gatorade High School Player of the Year Nicholas Singleton.

But the streak is at risk of ending with the 2025 recruiting cycle. Zahir Mathis, a four-star EDGE rusher from Imhotep in Philadelphia, has been trending away from the Nittany Lions early in his recruitment. Mathis released his top five list in October, with Penn State football nowhere to be found.

This the 5 👀. @recruit_access @cy_woodland @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/pn2xUEwxVG

— Zahir Mathis (@ZahirMathis5) October 31, 2023

James Franklin promises to land No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania for 2025 recruiting cycle

However, Penn State may not be out of the race to land Zahir Mathis. On3 still has the Nittany Lions as the favorite to land the top player in Pennsylvania, with Ohio State and South Carolina trailing behind.

During National Signing Day last Wednesday, James Franklin discussed the importance of landing Quinton Martin and of having recruiting success in the Keystone State. He also made a pledge about landing the No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania for 2025.

“We’ve got a pretty good run going right now, again, with the state of Pennsylvania and the No. 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania,” Franklin said. “We’ve got to do it again next year. That’s not looking as promising right now as it has been the last couple years, but we’re going to battle and to find a way to get that one done as well. All these players, Singleton and Quinton that have done it, they have a responsibility to help us sign the No. 1 player in the state next year, as well. We take a lot of pride in that.

“Again, I’m a big believer for a lot of different reasons, not just Penn State’s but for the young men,” he continued. “That’s a win-win for everybody. The best players in Pennsylvania need to stay in Pennsylvania, and they need to come to Penn State.”

Penn State football certainly has the means to seal the deal with Zahir Mathis. Nittany Lions DL coach Deion Barnes has extremely strong ties to Philadelphia and has proven himself an adept young recruiter. DE has also been a position of success in Happy Valley of late. Penn State’s two best EDGE rushers in 2023, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, are poised to be top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Penn State football should dominate the region

Beyond the Keystone State, James Franklin also expressed that Penn State football should be the destination for top recruits in the region, as well.

“I also believe the best players in the region should come to Penn State,” he said. “I’m biased, but I think we’re the best option in terms of a combination of school and football and being able to compete at the very highest level. We are the best option within the footprint, and that’s no disrespect to any other program. But I believe that, and I feel that way.”

The Nittany Lions put this into practice for the 2024 cycle. All five of Penn State’s top signees on National Signing Day are rated as top five talents in states across the eastern seaboard.

Now, attention shifts to the 2025 recruiting class. With seven commitments, the most recent coming last week, Penn State football currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 14th nationally for the cycle.

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