National Signing Day for the 2026 recruiting class is very far away. Meaning decisions can be fluid and minds can be changed depending on the circumstance. For Penn State football running back commit Messiah Mickens, has had plenty of other schools knocking on his door. But on Monday, he reminded the Nittany Lion community that Penn State is home.
No. 1 RB in PA reconfirms Penn State football commitment
Messiah Mickens is regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. According to On3, Mickens is the 58th player nationally, the No. 7 running back, and the No. 2 player in Pennsylvania in the cycle. He will have a change of scenery this fall as he has transferred from Trinity High School in Camp Hill, PA to Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, PA.
Recently it was announced that former Penn State standout Jordan Hill has resigned as head coach at Trinity. Ex-Penn State linebacker Mike Mauti who was the assistant head coach alongside Hill took a fundraising role with the Penn State football team.
With the changing environment around him, Mickens made it clear on Monday that he is locked in with the Nittany Lions. As he posted a photo of Beaver Stadium on Twitter/X. He has picked up offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, Wisconsin, and several others while being committed to Penn State but his loyalty has not wavered.
Tables turn for Alvin Henderson
While Mickens showed his dedication to the Nittany Lions, 2025 recruiting class RB commit Alvin Henderson has recently visited Auburn this past weekend. The Tigers were one of Henderson’s top college choices. But it wasn’t too long ago when Henderson was making sure that Mickens was locked in with Penn State.
Messiah Mickens picked up a scholarship offered at the end of April but Henderson provided some words of encouragement.
“Miami is nice and all! But you’re committed to the right spot” Henderson told Mickens on Twitter/X.
Now, James Franklin and his coaching staff will need to monitor the situation surrounding Alvin Henderson and his relationship with Auburn.
Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlet. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter 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 [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can proudly claim a readership of over 3.5 million in our first year of operation.