Looks like Penn State is going all-out this offseason; after that squeaker loss to Notre Dame last year, James Franklin isn’t taking any chances. First off, he made a big splash by grabbing Ohio State’s defensive brain, Jim Knowles, and then he retained his offensive guru, Andy Kotelnicki, along with his quarterback weapon, Drew Allar. But the surprise? A defensive end phenom who just flipped the script by reclassifying from the 2026 class to the 2025 is set to strengthen the team right away. With this level of talent joining the program early, Penn State isn’t just adding players; they’re preparing for a strong run in the Big Ten.

Penn State’s 2025 class is already pretty stacked with 27 commits this season, but now with this 6’2, 221-pound West Virginia native joining the program early, it is giving James Franklin and Co. the much-needed push. Penn State already features three commitments on the defensive line from Yvan Kemajou, Cortez Harris, and Randy Adirika. Daniel Jennings from Princeton is now the next big thing expected in the trenches, set to join the program next month. He actually committed to Penn State almost a year ago, on July 31st, after visiting the Lasch Bash.

While other programs like UNLV, Illinois, and West Virginia were also contenders, James Franklin’s Penn State stood out to Daniel Jennings. Notably, Daniel already has high aspirations, aiming to “win the title next season” with the program. He shared his enthusiasm with On3 Recruits and Steve Wiltfong, stating, “I’m super excited to get with the guys and start preparing to win the title next season. I have enrolled in homeschool and will be graduating this year and signing with Penn State’s 25’ class here in a few weeks.”

Now, it’s no spur-of-the-moment move. Daniel Jennings is actually grinding daily to make an immediate impact on James Franklin’s squad. “I’ve put on 20 pounds of muscle this off-season and have been able to maintain my speed. I feel that I accomplished everything I needed to at the high school level, and I’m ready to start working towards my degree and to increase my draft stock,” Daniel said. But this guy is already grabbing the spotlight, holding his ground like a seasoned vet. But how?

Well, On3 ranks Jennings as a four-star prospect in the 2026 class, the 23rd-best edge rusher and 160th overall. He is West Virginia’s top recruit, dominating on both offense and defense. Last year, he piled up 1,373 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging over 10 yards per carry. He also added 225 receiving yards and five more touchdowns. Defensively, he was a nightmare, recording 12.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Jennings is a game-changer, impacting every play.

However, Daniel Jennings’ early move is just the tip of the iceberg in James Franklin’s program. Behind the scenes, they are making major recruitment moves.

James Franklin gets a major Brandon Arrington update

It’s interesting to see the mixed picture for Penn State; on one hand, their appeal is getting players to join the program early, but on the other, they might miss out on some top targets. Now, college football’s attention is focused squarely on July 5th, which is Brandon Arrington’s commitment day.

This five-star standout from Mount Miguel High School is highly sought after, with Texas A&M, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, and USC currently leading the pack. While Arrington hasn’t revealed his leanings, insiders are picking up on a potential swing towards Texas A&M, reportedly drawn by their athletic opportunities and determined recruiting efforts. He’s weighing all five options, and the decision is looming, promising a dramatic conclusion.

Arrington’s rise isn’t by chance. At 6’1″ and 180 pounds, he brings elite athleticism and impressive stats. He’s also a track star, and he’s looking for a program that supports both sports—an area where Texas A&M, with its strong national track program, holds a key advantage. As Arrington himself told On3, “Just the relationship I have with Texas A&M,” Arrington told On3. “They were recruiting me the hardest, you know.” This combination of dual-sport appeal and a good football fit could very well be the deciding factor, and that’s certainly not something James Franklin would be happy to hear.

Mike Elko and his crew are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of cornerback prospect Arrington, envisioning him as a future game-changer, much like their former standout Terry Bussey. Just like Bussey, Arrington shines in every aspect—locking down receivers, forcing turnovers, and even making plays on offense. His numerous trips to College Station have really strengthened their bond. He’s even said, “They were recruiting me the hardest.”

With his track and football goals perfectly aligning there, Texas A&M seems to have an edge. However, USC isn’t backing down, playing up their local appeal. “USC, you know, it’s close to home,” Arrington acknowledged. “I’ve got a great relationship with Coach Riley, and you know they’ve got a great football program and a great track program.”

Alabama and Oregon are still strong in the mix, and even James Franklin’s program left a positive impression after the official visit. With July 5th approaching, the pressure is on; every school knows this is a tight race, and the final decision might come down to the wire.