Penn State continues strong in-state recruiting. Based on Rivals State rankings for PA:
- 2022 -- 6 of top 10 to PSU, including #1 Nick Singleton
- 2023 -- 5 of top 10 to PSU, including #1 Jven Williams
- 2024 -- 6 of top 10 to PSU, including #1 Quinton Martin
Yeah, but the days of one strong CF team dominating and loading up on their strong HS base are long gone. If you look at some of the Playoff schools of the last few years, they've pulled in just a select number from their HS bases and then went after national recruits. the 3 that come to mind are Georgia - especially Georgia - OSU and Alabama.
Heck, Georgia's HS base in off the charts right now - maybe - per population of state - the very best in the country. Georgia might be able to field a NC contending team with just Georgia HS talent - it's that good. Many coaches - including Kirby Smart - know that it's crucial to get a strong footprint for future recruiting in areas like Texas, Florida, California etc.... Take a look at Georgia's 2024 class. They're from all over.
Who are the 3 teams on the 2024 247 Composite with a per player rating of 93+ - yep Georgia, OSU and Alabama
Same with OSU. There are a few teams that have come into Ohio this year and pulled out some good recruits. But the key is, if OSU loses an Ohio recruit, they just get a better one nationally. That's how strong their national footprint has become. Example: they lost Ohio RB Jordan Marshall to Michigan and immediately pulled in an even higher rated back in Peoples out of Texas, They're being projected - for now - to end up with the best DT class in the country in 2024 (an OSU weakness) - including recent commit Justin Scott (Chicago) and not one of them will be from Ohio.
Alabama? Well, Alabama is Alabama. They cherry pick their state - which has really turned into a strong HS football state and then branch out. Auburn will get a few that Alabama offered but Saban just shrugs and then goes out nationally and KILLS it.
So, congrats to PSU in dominating the state, but it will be critical from here on out to establish a strong National footprint, especially with the 12-team Playoff starting in 2024. That's basically what teams like Alabama, Georgia, OSU and Clemson have been doing for a while now