Penn State football: PA’s top recruit, Nittany Lion commit locks in Blue-White visit

The Penn State football team is preparing for one of the biggest weekends of the offseason, particularly from the recruiting standpoint. The 2024 Blue-White Game is set to kick off in Beaver Stadium at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Many Nittany Lion prospects from the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes will be in attendance this weekend in Happy Valley. Additionally, current commits will return to campus to see a game-like atmosphere. Now, the top in-state prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, Penn State RB commit Messiah Mickens, has confirmed that he will be returning to Happy Valley on Saturday.

No. 1 player in PA confirms attendance for the Blue-White Game

Messiah Mickens is regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. The Camp Hill (PA) native is a four-star recruit, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. 247Sports ranks Mickens as the No. 1 player in PA and the No. 3 running back in the country.

Mickens made his commitment to the Nittany Lions on August 19th, 2023. While many schools have knocked on his door since then, including USC, Michigan, Oregon, and Notre Dame, among others, Mickens has not wavered in his pledge to Penn State football.

Now, the star has announced that he will return to campus on Saturday for the annual Blue-White Game. This will allow Mickens to continue to build his relationship with the coaching staff and see Beaver Stadium in a game-like setting.

I will be back at home in Happy valley April 13th 🦁 #weare pic.twitter.com/ZlxYtMo9hz

— Messiah Mickens (@Messiah_1M) April 10, 2024

Mickens’ ranking change on On3

While 247Sports views Messiah Mickens as the No. 1 player in PA, On3 has a different view. On3 has IOL Kevin Brown and IOL Tyler Merrill ranked above Mickens. Both players are projected to land at Penn State per On3, although neither has decided at this time.

While the rankings may be somewhat arbitrary at this time it’s worth following throughout the 2026 recruiting cycle. Mickens will likely trade places with Merrill and Brown in the months and years to come. It will be a fun battle to watch, especially if all three end up in the Blue and White at the end of the day.

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