Penn State football RB commit gains new scholarship offer from ACC foe

The Penn State football team had one of its top commitments return to campus this past weekend. Running back Messiah Mickens was in Happy Valley competing in a 7-on-7 event. But just one day later he secured the interest of another program. On Saturday, the Nittany Lions commit announced that Mack Brown and the University of North Carolina have offered the 2026 recruiting class running back a scholarship.

Messiah Mickens has made the move to Harrisburg High School this fall. This move was likely for the best as head coach Jordan Hill and assistant head coach Mike Mauti left Trinity High School to return to Penn State. Both lettermen have secured roles to help the program improve.

When one of the top prospects in the country is committed to your program, you can expect a constant battle. That’s where the Penn State football team finds themselves with Messiah Mickens. The four-star prospect from the Keystone State continues to grow in recognition. Mickens ranks as the No. 3 player in PA and the No. 8 RB in the country according to On3. Now, the University of North Carolina has entered the race to try and pull Mickens away from Penn State.

#AGTG Beyond blessed to receive an offer from The University of North Carolina ⚪️🐏 @UNCFootball @CoachLPorter @CoachMackBrown @RivalsFriedman @SWiltfong_ @EdOBrienCFB @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @PaFootballNews @RyanSnyderOn3 pic.twitter.com/58geXC6mk8

— Messiah Mickens (@Messiah_1M) June 15, 2024

2026 safety and former Nittany Lion QB teammate offered

Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer chose to enroll early this past January to start his college career. The Olentangy, Ohio native is expected to be the program’s future. Ironically, Grunkemeyer might not be the only player from Olentangy on the Nittany Lions’ roster over the next few seasons.

On June 9, Kaden Gebhardt announced that defensive coordinator Tom Allen offered him a scholarship to Penn State. This news was shared on Twitter / X following a camp Gebhardt attended. Ranked as a four-star safety in the 2026 recruiting class, this is another player to keep an eye on over the next several months.

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