Ex-Penn State football commit visits Nittany Lions’ Week 1 foe

Penn State football has been firing on all cylinders on the recruiting trail in the new year, nearly doubling the size of its 2025 class since January. But in March, James Franklin received a slight setback from New Jersey defensive back Omari Gaines, who decomitted from the Nittany Lions. Gaines has since reopened his recruitment and last weekend made a stop in Morgantown, West Virginia, where Penn State will kick off the 2024 season in a little less than five months. 

Penn State football decommit visits West Virginia

Omari Gaines was the first commitment of the 2025 recruiting cycle for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, pledging to Penn State football on March 28, 2023. But after almost one full year in the class, Gaines became the Nittany Lions’ second decommitment for 2025 on March 1. 

“I would like to start by thanking Coach Franklin and the entire PSU staff for giving me the opportunity to accept a scholarship at PSU,” the three-star safety from Newark wrote last month. “I would also like to thank Nittany Lion Nation for all their love and support, but after numerous conversations with my family, I have decided to decommit from Penn State University and reopen my recruitment.”

Over the weekend, Omari Gaines took a trip to a program that will soon play host to James Franklin and Penn State football. The ex-Nittany Lion commit took a visit to West Virginia, who first offered him in April 2022. 

Had a great time in Morgantown last weekend💙💛! Appreciate the love and hospitality🙏🏽 #AGTG @BigBody_Nas8 @Coach_TBell @Backendcoach12 @NealBrown_WVU pic.twitter.com/3Q5MEDARKk

— OmariGaines🎸 (@omarigaines_) April 9, 2024

Penn State will kick off the 2024 season in Morgantown at a date and time still to be determined. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions emerged victorious in last fall’s matchup at Beaver Stadium, winning 38-15.

Neal Brown and West Virginia exceeded expectations in 2023, finishing 9-4 after being predicted to finish last in the Big 12 by many analysts during the preseason. 

Nittany Lions rolling strong in 2025

Despite losing Omari Gaines last month, Penn State football hasn’t missed a beat in the 2025 cycle. The Nittany Lions currently hold the No. 7 class nationally per 247Sports, good for third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and USC. 

A big recruiting weekend awaits James Franklin and his staff with the Blue-White Game on Saturday, with a list of prospects expected to attend that grows by the day. Penn State is also busy setting its official visit calendar for the summer as well this week, locking in high-profile prospects such as Nittany Lions legacy Michael Carroll.

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