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Penn State commit cancels visits, reconfirms pledge following Seider’s departure

Longtime Penn State football commit Messiah Mickens was ready to explore his options following Ja’Juan Seider’s departure. But after visiting Happy Valley this weekend, Mickens is all in on James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

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Head coach James Franklin during Penn State's Pro Day in Holuba Hall on March 28, 2025, in State College. © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Messiah Mickens will not explore his options after all. On Saturday, the 2026 Penn State football running back pledge announced that he will not take official visits to other programs this summer, locking in his commitment to the Nittany Lions.

“Sometimes, you just know where home is,” he said after visiting with the Nittany Lions during spring practice on Saturday.

Mickens had originally shut down his recruitment in January. However, the four-star Harrisburg (PA) running back had a change of heart following longtime assistant Ja’Juan Seider’s move to Notre Dame in February.

In addition to Seider and the Fighting Irish, Mickens had also scheduled an official visit with Bill Belichick and North Carolina in recent weeks.

Joining the Nittany Lions’ class in August 2023, Mickens was the first commitment for Penn State football in the 2026 recruiting cycle. He is the No. 10 running back and the fourth-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania for 2026, according to On3.

It wasn’t just Mickens who doubled down on his support for the Nittany Lions this weekend. James Franklin and new running backs coach Stan Drayton were also able to get McKeesport (PA) four-star Kemon Spell, the top running back in the 2027 cycle, to reaffirm his commitment to the program.

A busy in-state recruiting weekend in Happy Valley, Penn State football also landed Seton-La Salle’s Khalil Taylor, the No. 2 wide receiver in 2027.

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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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