Kemon Spell’s decommitment from Penn State came quickly after the school fired head coach James Franklin on Sunday. He made it clear he wanted to be part of a “winning program,” and it didn’t take long for new offers to pour in. The Oregon Ducks and Nebraska Cornhuskers were among the first to come calling, each eager to make Spell their next offensive centerpiece. But now the nation’s No. 1 back in the 2027 class looks to be heading elsewhere, and the signs aren’t good for the Ducks. So, who is the mystery program?

Spell made his first unofficial visit to South Bend on Saturday, when Notre Dame hosted USC and came away with a 34–24 win. By the end of the trip, the buzz grew so strong that recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong predicted a 60% chance that Spell would commit to Notre Dame. And the biggest factor in this move appears to be Ja’Juan Seider. Seider was Penn State’s running backs coach and one of the key reasons Spell originally committed there. When Seider took the same job at Notre Dame earlier this year, it opened a new path for Spell.

“Just the love they show, especially with Coach Freeman and Coach Seider,” Spell said afterward. “Coach Freeman texts me every other day, sends me stuff, even Coach Seider, we call each other all the time. That’s what I look for in my recruitment is love.”

Spell’s father shared similar thoughts with On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “It was really a good visit. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better. I can say I’m impressed, and from the sound of it, Kemon is too.”

Notre Dame has been on an absolute roll when it comes to running back recruiting. The program already has two top-10 backs, Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton, locked in for the 2026 class. Adding a five-star like Spell in 2027 would only extend that dominance.

As a sophomore, Spell rushed 157 times for 1,681 yards, averaging 10.7 yards per carry, and scored 24 touchdowns. He led McKeesport to the WPIAL Class 4A championship and posted two 200-yard playoff performances. If he chooses Notre Dame, Spell would become their first five-star running back since Jeremiyah Love in 2023 and the fifth overall commit in their 2027 class.

Kemon Spell’s Next Visit and Commitment

Kemon Spell is reportedly having multiple visits planned until the rest of the season. He will be visiting Syracuse on October 31st, Ohio State on November 1st, Georgia on November 15th, and Michigan on November 29th. “I actually wanted to see what it was like visiting other schools,” he said.

Previously, Spell planned to get to Tennessee at the beginning of November. He also named Oregon, North Carolina, Missouri, and Nebraska as other schools that he likes to visit. However, he hasn’t planned any visits yet. When asked about the possible commitment timeframe, Spell said, “Probably not till my senior year, not till signing day basically.”

“I wanna weigh my options, go all the way with it and see who really shows the most love towards the end, and then that’s what’s going to make me go to that school.” He still has 14 months left in his signing period for the 2027 cycle, and anything can happen in this timeframe.