James Franklin gets eyes on nation’s top CB while visiting Penn State football commit

James Franklin evaluated one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle on Friday night, Ohio cornerback Elbert Hill, while visiting current in-state Penn State football commitment Matthew Parker.

The opportunity came as Franklin hits the recruiting trail this weekend during the Nittany Lions’ second bye week of the season. Coaches cannot speak directly with recruits at these visits but can observe athletic events and talk with other individuals, like high school coaches.

Franklin watched Parker’s Central York host Hill’s Archbishop Hoban (Akron), one of several high school matchups the Penn State football coach took in on Friday evening. But unlike most of the other games, Franklin found his way onto the highlight reel in Archbishop Hoban’s 41-7 win over Central York.

Sadly, @PennStateFball's @coachjfranklin does not have any @PIAASports eligibility. The 👐are still there… pic.twitter.com/yCVC5pV9Aa

— Alex Cawley (@Cawley_TV) October 19, 2024

A four-star, Elbert Hill is the number one cornerback and the No. 15 prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Hill has visited James Franklin and Penn State five times, most recently in April.

Bucknuts 247Sports insider Bill Kurelic has crystal-balled Elbert Hill to commit to Ohio State since March. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently gives Hill an 85% chance of landing with the Buckeyes; the Nittany Lions are second at 6%.

Penn State football has held a commitment from Matthew Parker since May. The unrated kicker was previously committed to West Virginia. Parker will be a walk-on in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

Penn State football starting strong in 2026

© Gee Johnson/Special to Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The class of 2025 is front and center for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, with National Signing Day just two short months away. However, the strong foundation that Penn State football has built in the 2026 recruiting class shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Nittany Lions have six total commitments, tied for second with USC and Florida State and only one behind Oregon. The class’s four committed four-stars is tied for second-most with Auburn and South Carolina and behind Oregon and Florida State, who each have five.

Ranked third nationally, Franklin has already put his mark on the region, claiming some of 2026’s best recruits. Penn State football has landed the No. 1 and No. 3 players in Pennsylvania, Kevin Brown and Messiah Mickens. The Nittany Lions also hold commitments from the top prospect out of West Virginia (Daniel Jennings) and Delaware (Jahsiear Rogers).

However, the class’s centerpiece comes from across the country. California quarterback Troy Huhn is ranked No. 7 at the position and No. 83 in the cycle. Committing to Penn State in June, Huhn has already returned to State College twice and attended the Nittany Lions’ 33-30 overtime win at USC in person.

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