Connect with us

FB RECRUITING

Penn State Offers 2025 4-Star QB from CA

Could a westward expansion soon be possible for the Nittany Lions on the recruiting trail?

Published

7 days ago

on

2025 4-Star QB
Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches his team before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Penn State football ended a busy week on the recruiting trail with a massive visitor’s day on Saturday. More than 60 prospects visited Happy Valley this weekend to meet with James Franklin and the football staff. For one high-level prospect, the cross-country trip was not made in vain. Bekkem Kritza, a 2025 4-star QB prospect, returned to California with an offer from Penn State in hand.

Penn State Offers 2025 4-Star QB Bekkem Kritza

Bekkem Kritza is the No. 61 overall rated prospect in the country for the class of 2025, according to the On3 Consensus Database. The 3 major recruiting evaluators – 247 Sports, Rivals, and On3 – all rate Kritza as a 4-star recruit. The 6-5 195-pound Santa Margarita Catholic prospect is currently ranked as the 10th-best player in California and the 7th-best QB in the class.

Kritza was in State College as a visitor for an expansive recruiting weekend, with prospects attending from all over the country. On Saturday afternoon, Kritza announced on his social media that he had received a Penn State offer after speaking with James Franklin, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, and offensive analyst Danny O’Brien.

James Franklin Will Have to Work to Land Kritza

Although Krtiza’s offer list is still small, serious competition exists for the 4-star QB’s talents. The Nittany Lions join Texas A&M, Colorado, Colorado State, Miami, and Kansas as the programs to offer Kritza.

There is still plenty of time in the 2025 cycle, which is good if James Franklin and Mike Yurcich want to make Kritza a member of their recruiting class. Currently, On3 has Kritza as a 49% lead to Texas A&M, with Colorado and Colorado State coming in at 15% and 13%, respectively. Penn State and Miami have an 11% chance of landing the California QB.

Westward Expansion?

Realistically, I’d say that Penn State’s chances of receiving a commitment from Kritza are slim. The Nittany Lions are slowly expanding their national recruiting footprint to the West Coast. James Franklin even landed Washington offensive lineman Vega Ioane in the class of 2022. But Penn State has not traditionally experienced the same presence out West for skill position players as have programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson.

But, with momentum building on the recruiting trail and on the field, it’s possible that the traditional trend could soon change for the Nittany Lions. If James Franklin can get the Lions to live up to expectations in 2023, it’s only natural for the national buzz around the program to grow.

Plus, with USC and UCLA set to join the Big Ten in 2024, Penn State will soon receive exposure out West like it never has before. Suddenly, the distance may feel like less of a factor to West Coast recruits, especially if Penn State remains to be a top-5 or top-10 program nationally.

They’re certainly not there yet, but Westward expansion may soon be coming for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FB RECRUITING

Penn State football picks up commitment from top 50 tight end

The Nittany Lions kicked off a big recruiting weekend with a huge tight end commitment.

Published

12 hours ago

on

March 25, 2023

By

Penn State football lands top 50 tight end
Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Brenton Strange (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Saturday, the Penn State Nittany Lions received some more great news on the recruiting trail. Luke Reynolds, a top 50 tight end from Connecticut, has officially announced his commitment to play for Penn State football.

Penn State football lands commitment from top 50 tight end recruit

Luke Reynolds is a three-star, top 50 tight end in the 2024 recruiting class, and is a massive addition to the newest Penn State football recruiting class. The Nittany Lions now have five commits in their 2024 class, with Reynolds being the first tight end in the cycle.

According to On3, Luke Reynolds is a three star recruit and ranks as a top 50 tight end. Reynolds is ranked as the No. 33 tight end and the No. 8 player in Connecticut and had a solid list of offers to pair with his talent. Reynolds should fit into Penn State’s offensive scheme quite nicely — he stands at 6-foot–4 and weighs in at 215 pounds making him an ideal passing target and a sizable blocker; Penn State football can utilize both of these attributes.

While Reynolds is not the highest rated guy in the class, he is a massive pickup for the Penn State football team, and will make a great addition to the offense when he get on campus next fall.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

Continue Reading

FB RECRUITING

Penn State football to host No. 1 player in Pennsylvania on Monday

The Nittany Lions could lock down the top player in the state during his visit on Monday.

Published

1 day ago

on

March 24, 2023

By

Penn State football No. 1 player in Pennsylvania
Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — To kick off next week’s recruiting events, the Penn State Nittany Lions will be hosting a major recruit. Quinton Martin, the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, will be making a return trip to state college for his eighth visit with Penn State football. For James Franklin and his staff, next Monday’s visit marks a massive opportunity to haul in a commitment from the four-star athlete.

No. 1 player in Pennsylvania to visit Penn State football on Monday

It is rare to find a recruit that all four major recruiting outlets agree on, though Quinton Martin is exactly that. 247 Sports, On3, Rivals, and ESPN all rank Martin as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the industry rankings have Martin ranked as the No. 41 player in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 3 athlete in the country, and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Pennsylvania. Right now, 247 has no crystal balls for Martin’s recruitment; however, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Penn State football a 46.3% chance of landing his commitment all said and done. The next-highest school is Pitt (20.5%).

For Penn State football, locking down Quinton Martin is a must. One of the Nittany Lions’ recruiting slogans is “The best in PA, stay in PA,” and if Penn State wants to keep in that way, landing the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania should be top priority. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound athlete will be making his eighth trip to Happy Valley, so the time to finalize his commitment is drawing near for Franklin’s staff.

As spring and summer recruiting get into full swing for the Penn State football team, the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly be looking to close things out with the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and add many more key players to its newest recruiting class.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

Continue Reading

FB RECRUITING

Penn State football looking to lock down one of its top 2024 targets this weekend

The Nittany Lions are looking to reel in a major commitment during a huge recruiting weekend.

Published

2 days ago

on

March 24, 2023

By

2024 Penn State football target Nittany Lions
Oct 12, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — This weekend will be massive for Penn State’s recruiting, and it could even see a key commitment for James Franklin’s Nittany Lions. Jaylen Harvey, a major 2024 Penn State football target, will be in town visiting the program for the seventh time in his recruitment, and with spring and summer recruiting in full swing now, expect the Nittany Lions to be making a massive push to wrap up his recruitment this weekend.

Top 2024 Penn State football target to visit State College this weekend

Jaylen Harvey is undoubtedly a top 2024 Penn State football target as he has regional ties and is a highly-touted prospect. Harvey is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound defensive end prospect, and according to all four major recruiting outlets, he is a four-star 2024 Penn State football target. Harvey is an ESPN 300 recruit, ranking No. 218 in the nation; he also ranks as the No. 18 EDGE, and the No. 7 player in the state of Maryland for the 2024 recruiting class.

So far, every recruiting insider expects Harvey to sign with Penn State all said and done — 100% of 247’s crystal balls are for the Nittany Lions, and the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Penn State football a 92.7% chance of locking the 2024 four-star EDGE player down.

Harvey likes Penn State, now it’s up to the staff to land a commitment

This weekend’s visit will be crucial for the Nittany Lions — not only is it the seventh time that this major 2024 Penn State football target will be in State College, but it will also be his first time spending time with Deion Barnes since he was promoted to defensive line coach recently. From what we know, Harvey has loved his time with Penn State thus far, and spirits are high as far has his recruitment to Happy Valley goes.

“I like Penn State a lot,” he told On3 in January. “My interest is very high in them. My relationship with the coaches, how they make me feel like a top recruit and the way they develop edge rushers have them up there. The way I feel there and how they coach guys like me up makes Penn State a program I would love to be a part of.”

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

Continue Reading

Trending