By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberPenn State is in a world of hurt with only one day to go before the early signing period.
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The Nittany Lions fired James Franklin in October after a 3-3 start. The former Vanderbilt head coach found work at Virginia Tech and has steadily built up his recruiting for the Hokies in 2026.
Per 247 Sports, Penn State is set to have the 130th-best recruiting class for 2026. Franklin and Virginia Tech are set to have the 32nd-best class.
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While PSU is looking for its permanent replacement for Franklin, VT's new coach has not finalized his staff in Blacksburg.
Per Pete Nakos of On3, Franklin is targeting several of his former coaches at Penn State. He's looking at making tight ends coach Ty Howle the offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. Several other staff members could be joining Franklin following PSU's bowl game.
The staff situation appears to be aiding Franklin in recruiting for 2026. The problem was something Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith alluded to in November when he suggested the Nittany Lions needed to name a coach as soon as possible before high school recruits looked elsewhere.
“The immediate threat is taking Penn State players,” Smith said. “With the uncertainty of the next head coach, the most important thing we can do is protect the locker room. When it comes to recruits, high school recruits, (Franklin) has an advantage right now because we don’t have a permanent head coach.”
That's nothing to mention of what could happen in the transfer portal in the coming weeks.
Smith wants the permanent head coaching gig at PSU. However, he kept open the possibility he'd join Franklin at Virginia Tech after the bowl game.
“Anything’s a possibility,” Smith said.
PSU is trying to convince Kalani Sitake to leave BYU for State College. Even if he becomes the head coach soon, Franklin has a head start on his former program.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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