SEC champs make late push for PA’s top QB, Penn State football target before commitment this week

Penn State football is looking to seal the deal with one of the top quarterbacks in the entire 2025 recruiting cycle this week, with the commitment of top in-state signal caller Matt Zollers on Thursday. The Nittany Lions have long been thought to be in a battle with SEC powerhouse Georgia for the top five quarterback nationally, but now reigning SEC Champion Alabama is possibly making a late run at the Spring-Ford quarterback. Zollers added a last-minute trip to Tuscaloosa on Monday after his visit to Happy Valley over the weekend, throwing a potential monkey wrench into the recruitment of the highly coveted prospect.

Top in-state quarterback makes trips to Alabama, Georgia off Penn State visit

Although Penn State football already has one quarterback committed in the 2025 recruiting cycle in Miami Central’s Bekkem Kritza, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have still been pushing hard for one of the nation’s top arms located right in their backyard.

Spring-Ford’s (Royersford) Matt Zollers is Pennsylvania’s top prospect and the No. 3 quarterback nationally, according to On3. In the site’s most recent On300 rankings update released in February, Zollers was elevated to the No. 17 recruit in the 2025 cycle.

Accordingly, the four-star quarterback has received much attention. After taking a string of visits this winter, Zollers released his four finalist programs two months ago, a list that included Penn State football, Georgia and Missouri from the SEC, and Pitt, where his brother plays defensive line.

Matt Zollers is set to announce his commitment on Thursday after making one final trip to each of his finalists. But on Monday, the Keystone State’s top quarterback made a surprise stop in SEC territory to see Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. The trip was reported by On3’s visit center, as well as several of the network’s recruiting analysts.

Zollers just visited Penn State on Saturday after making trips to Pitt and Missouri in the days prior. He will stop at Georgia on Tuesday.

Will the Nittany Lions ultimately land Matt Zollers?

Matt Zollers’ Alabama visit adds yet another twist to what is potentially one of the most important commitments for Penn State football in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

For most of the winter, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have been thought to be in a battle with Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs for the Spring-Ford quarterback. However, in recent weeks, Missouri has been viewed as gaining ground.

We’ll see what impact this trip to Tuscaloosa ultimately plays, but you’d have to think Zollers has at least a passing interest in the Crimson Tide to schedule a visit days before his commitment date.

One thing that is certain in this recruitment is that Matt Zollers has been fairly good at keeping his leanings close to the vest. Odds are,  we’ll likely have to wait until Thursday to find out for sure where Zollers will play his college ball. 

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