Penn State Faces Mass Decommitments After James Franklin Firing, Ohio State Seeks Recruiting Gains

Following the firing of Penn State head coach James Franklin, the university's football program has seen significant recruiting disruptions, with at least ten commits from the 2026 and 2027 classes decommitting, including defensive lineman Alexander Haskell who flipped to Syracuse. Ohio State has actively sought to capitalize on the instability by targeting several of these former Penn State commits to bolster their own 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes. Penn State's interim head coach Terry Smith now faces the challenge of stabilizing the program and retaining remaining recruits ahead of a key matchup against No. 1 Ohio State. The coaching upheaval at Penn State is part of a broader trend in college football, with multiple Power Four programs experiencing coaching changes that have led to a flurry of recruiting activity and uncertainty. Athletic Director Pat Kraft acknowledged the inevitability of recruiting losses but indicated ongoing efforts to manage the fallout. The situation underscores the impact coaching changes have on recruitment dynamics, with top prospects reconsidering commitments amid program instability.