Penn State football still pushing for legacy recruit committed elsewhere

Despite missing out on five-star prospect Michael Carroll earlier this summer, James Franklin and Penn State football are still pushing to get top-rated offensive lineman Michael Carroll in the program’s 2025 recruiting class. The Nittany Lions legacy prospect committed to Alabama in June.

However, several recent reports, most notably from Rivals and Brian Dohn of 247Sports, have indicated that the Nittany Lions aren’t going to give up on Carroll without a fight.

#PennState Football still after 4️⃣🌟 legacy recruit @BIIGMIKE_55 despite commitment to #Alabama.

👉 https://t.co/70wtgCYzhN pic.twitter.com/BmlBeIUmc0

— Penn State Nittany Lions | Happy Valley Insider (@PennStateRivals) August 9, 2024

Michael Carroll took six visits to Happy Valley during his recruitment. Initially believed to be in a battle with Georgia and Michigan, the Crimson Tide surged with the interior offensive lineman this spring after hiring Kalen DeBoer. 

Carroll committed to Alabama on June 10, four days before the start of his planned official visit with Penn State football. 

Even if all holds and the Nittany Lions eventually miss on the top 2025 prospect, James Franklin and his staff will still continue to recruit the Carroll family in the years to come. In May, Penn State football offered 2027 wide receiver Liam Carroll, the younger brother of the Alabama commit. 

Penn State football legacy prospect transfers to high school powerhouse

© Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

Beyond his connections to the program, missing out on Michael Carroll was a significant blow to Penn State football because of the five-star’s status as one of the top in-state recruits. 

However, Carroll will no longer be among the Keystone State’s elite during his senior season. Last month, he and his brother both announced that they were transferring from Central Bucks East to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. 

“I would like to say thank you to all the coached that have helped me get to this point in my career, [it] means a lot,” Carroll wrote on X in July. “With that being said, I will be transferring and playing my senior year at IMG Academy.” 

With the change in scenery, Michael Carroll went from being the No. 2 prospect in Pennsylvania to the second-ranked player in Florida, according to On3’s 2025 recruiting rankings. He is the No. 1 interior offensive lineman and the No. 12 recruit in the country.

Penn State football has the No. 16 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle per On3. 

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