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Multiple Penn State football commits set to visit Happy Valley this weekend

Penn State football is expecting to host several recruits this weekend but which Nittany Lion commits have announced they’ll be returning to Happy Valley on Saturday?

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Penn State football, Elbert Hill, 2026 recruiting
Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin shakes the hands of invited recruits upon the team’s arrival prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The Penn State football team has two missions on Saturday. First, they need to beat Kent State. But, the second objective is for the Nittany Lions to continue to push its recruiting efforts forward. Not only is it important to recruit uncommitted prospects, but James Franklin also needs to continue to recruit current commits including Messiah Mickens. Lavar Keys, and Tiqwai Hayes who will all be in Happy Valley on Saturday,

It’s that time of year when recruits start to go back to State College to look at what the future holds. While the Penn State football team is expecting several prospects to return to campus a few notables have stated that they are visiting this weekend on Twitter / X. Including 2025 recruiting class running back Tiqwai Hayes.

Hayes made his commitment almost one year ago on September 25. The Aliquippa native is a three-star running back in the 2025 recruiting class. On3 ranks him as the No. 12 player in PA. He was sidelined last week as a precaution due to a hamstring injury but should return to the field shortly.

Two important pieces in 2026 will visit this weekend

Penn State football, Messiah Mickens, Lavar Keys, Tiqwai Hayes

Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Another player who has locked in a visit this weekend is Harrisburg native Messiah Mickens. A highly ranked running back in the 2026 recruiting class has shared on Twitter / X that he will be ‘back home’ this weekend for the Kent State game.

Mickens made his commitment to Penn State football on August 19, 2023. According to the On3 Industry Rankings Mickens is the No.3 player in PA and No. 9 RB in the 2026 cycle (No. 79 overall).

Last but not least is a wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class and Penn State commit Lavar Keys. He announced on Wednesday that he will be in Happy Valley for the Kent State game as well.

Keys is one of the newer commitments for the Nittany Lions. He made his pledge on August 2, 2024. Rated as a three-star WR in the 2026 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Keys is regarded as the No. 9 player in Maryland and the No. 87 WR in his class.

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Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

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