Elite in-state Penn State football target offered by ex-Nittany Lions assistants

James Franklin and Penn State football are getting some familiar competition for one of the program’s top targets in the 2026 recruiting cycle. On Friday, Fort Cherry (Pennsylvania) two-way athlete and rising four-star talent Matt Sieg picked up an offer from former Nittany Lions assistant Charles Huff and the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Now in his third season at Marshall, the one-time Nittany Lions running backs and special teams coach has led the Herd to a 17-11 record during his tenure.

But Huff isn’t the only ex-Penn State football assistant coach involved in recruiting Matt Sieg to Marshall. Huff called on former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, now in his first year as Marshall’s safeties and assistant head coach, to help make his pitch to the Fort Cherry standout.

After a great conversation with @CoachHuff and @CoachBobShoop I’m excited to have received an offer from Marshall University! #GoHerd @TannerGarry3 @FortCherryFB @210ths @adamgorney @ryanobleness @SWiltfong_ @247Hudson pic.twitter.com/Qlihee4JmH

— Matt Sieg 4 ⭐️ ATH (@matt_sieg) September 13, 2024

Penn State football’s familiar foes crowding Sieg’s recruitment

Huff and Shoop weren’t the only familiar foes who entered the battle for Sieg on Friday. Later in the day, Big Ten rival Iowa also offered the 2026 prospect. Sieg’s offer list is approaching 20 programs, 13 of which come from Power Four conferences.

After a great conversation with @TylerBarnesIOWA I’m excited to have received an offer from the University of Iowa! @HawkeyeFootball @Spauldingiowa @TannerGarry3 @FortCherryFB @210ths @adamgorney @ryanobleness @SWiltfong_ @247Hudson pic.twitter.com/K2KI1AYoEa

— Matt Sieg 4 ⭐️ ATH (@matt_sieg) September 13, 2024

Matt Sieg is the No. 140 prospect nationally and the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania regardless of position, according to 247Sports’ 2026 recruiting rankings. Setting PIAA records as a quarterback in 2023, Sieg is primarily being recruited to play defense at the FBS level, where he is the No. 12 safety in the country.

Sieg saw Penn State football for the second week in a row last Saturday, visiting Happy Valley for the first time since March for the Nittany Lions’ win over Bowling Green. In Week 1, he traveled to Morgantown on a recruiting visit to West Virginia.

Sieg will see the Mountaineers in action again this week, as he’s an expected visitor of Pitt for Saturday’s Backyard Brawl.

With six commitments, Penn State football has the nation’s No. 3 class for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

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