February Signing Period Overview
The February signing period in college football, often overshadowed by the December event, held significant importance for newly appointed Penn State head coach Matt Campbell. Following the departure of former coach James Franklin to Virginia Tech, Penn State had secured only a pair of high school recruits in December, as Campbell was not yet on board from Iowa State. This left him with the hefty task of assembling a freshman class while also navigating the transfer portal and staffing his coaching team.
Recruiting Challenges and Achievements
In a reflection of the hectic past two months, Campbell remarked,
“It’s been a whirlwind in a multitude of different ways.”
As a result, Penn State welcomed 15 new freshman recruits to their program, many of whom had previously committed to Iowa State before transferring to join him in Happy Valley. Meanwhile, most of the local high school seniors who had originally committed to Penn State redirected their plans to Virginia Tech after Franklin’s exit in December.
Despite currently sitting in the lower tier of the Big Ten recruiting rankings, according to composite evaluations by 247Sports, Penn State’s recruiting class looks far more formidable than earlier in the cycle. The program has also bolstered its roster with over thirty transfers, with a significant number arriving from Iowa State.
Key Recruits and Transfers
Among the standout recruits transferring to Penn State is edge rusher Elijah Reeder, poised to combine his skills with December signee Jackson Ford to enhance the team’s pass-rushing capacity.
Unlike most of their peers, who have completed their recruitment by the December signing day, Penn State’s approach is unique—focusing on the late February signing period. The landscape of college football recruiting has largely shifted to favor early signings, diminishing the role of February.
Additionally, edge rusher Dylan Berymon, a highly regarded player and ranked as the 223rd prospect nationally, chose Nebraska heading into this signing period. Tom Loy, a recruiting expert from 247Sports, described Berymon as
“big, powerful, and strong,”
noting Nebraska’s excitement over his commitment.
Other Notable Signings
In other news on the same day, Notre Dame made headlines by signing quarterback Teddy Jarrard, who had recently reclassified from a 2027 recruit. This strategic move allows him to join the team this fall and vie for the backup role behind starting quarterback CJ Carr, especially after Kenny Minchey transferred to Kentucky, leaving Notre Dame with only four scholarship quarterbacks, including Jarrard and incoming freshman Noah Grubbs.
Loy commented positively on Jarrard’s profile, stating,
“You look at the size, the frame, the mechanics—there’s a lot to like about Teddy Jarrard. I think he’s the most likely next-up option after CJ Carr.”
Stay Updated
Fans and followers of college football can stay updated on the latest recruiting news and poll alerts throughout the season, with various platforms offering real-time information.
