James Franklin’s Penn State isn’t just stacking up a strong 2026 class—they’re charging into it with restless aggression. With 16 commits already locked in and a No. 4 Big Ten ranking, Penn State is exceeding all preseason expectations. Best part? The 2025 season hasn’t even kicked off yet. Coach Franklin isn’t just recruiting talent; he’s fast-tracking it. Players like Daniel Jennings are reclassifying to contribute immediately, aiming for an early splash in Happy Valley. But despite all of it, Franklin shows no signs of hitting the brakes. Next up? A 4-star cornerback from Desert Edge who’s already captivated by the program. Now, if momentum has any clue, it’s that there’s another top recruit win that’s waiting in the wings.

But this isn’t a soothing update for other teams like Oregon, Texas A&M, and Nebraska, who are also eyeing this 6’0, 180 lb. freak. And interestingly, Penn State made a lasting impact on Camren Hamiel on his very first visit, which he took this weekend. He saw a lot of things that he liked in Happy Valley during his OV. It didn’t just change his opinion but also the entire dynamics of his recruitment. “Before this visit, Penn State was in my top four just knowing a little about the program and how I felt about the coaches, but now they are top two or top three,” Hamiel told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I felt way more comfortable about them, and after the visit, I feel really good about Penn State and the coaching staff there.”

What makes him put James Franklin’s program in his top 3 favorites?

It’s their coaching staff that flipped Camren Hamiel’s entire outlook on the program. The On3’s No. 265 prospect didn’t mince words before handing over flowers to Penn State’s staff. “Coach Franklin’s presentation to the recruits was great. He talked about what is important and what is not important, and it was really good for me and my parents. How nobody is better than anyone else was big too. It is about equality at Penn State. They work together, and I loved that.” Hamiel said. “The staff learning more about the tradition and seeing how involved Coach Franklin is were some big highlights for me.”

Out of all of them, Penn State’s safeties coach, Anthony Poindexter, made the most impact on Camren Hamiel. Hamiel spent most of the weekend with him. They went over the film, the scheme, and also how well Hamiel will fit into the system. “It was a really good experience at Penn State,” Hamiel said. “The coaches were super-friendly, and they made me feel like a priority. They didn’t kiss my bu-t, and Coach Franklin talked about how they are not going to do that, so they weren’t in my face all day, but it still felt really good.

Hamiel can make an early impact on James Franklin’s team, as his track record is nothing less than exceptional. As a junior for Desert Edge, he logged 50 tackles, three interceptions, three pass breakups with a sack, and a blocked field goal. His game play pushed the Scorpions to a 10-game record last season, and they also finished as a top 25 team in the state. But let’s not forget there are 3 other teams lining up for the next visit: Nebraska (June 6), Oregon (June 13), and A&M (June 20). And Oregon is already eyeing him.

Dan Lanning’s program is sending shockwaves to James Franklin

Oregon’s Dan Lanning is quietly building momentum for a potentially explosive recruiting summer. Following the commitment of five-star edge rusher Richard Wesley, the Ducks are now focused on four-star cornerback Camren Hamiel. Ranked as the nation’s 21st-best cornerback and Arizona’s top prospect, Hamiel is a key target for Lanning, with Oregon among his top choices. Hamiel’s upcoming June 13th official visit, combined with Oregon’s recent recruiting success, makes this a pivotal recruitment.

On top of that, Oregon’s 2026 class has just 8 commits and no CB commits so far, which makes his recruitment more important for the team. But for now, Hamiel isn’t making any amends. “I plan to commit around the middle of summer after my official visits. When I finish the visits, I will sit down with my family, coach, and agent, then talk it over, and that will lead to my commitment.”

But Oregon clearly left a lasting impression on Hamiel after his spring visit. “I love Coach Lanning’s story and how Oregon looks. I was surprised by how it was there, the environment, and all of that. It is a great program, and I saw that it is a great place when I was there this spring,” Hamiel said.

Oregon’s got a serious pipeline going in Arizona after snagging four-star receiver Cooper Perry and flipping five-star edge rusher Elijah Rushing in the 2025 class, really planting their flag on the West Coast. Now the big question is whether James Franklin can hold onto Hamiel. Things can change in a heartbeat in this recruiting game, so let’s see how this Southwest showdown plays out.