Penn State TANKED the 2026 Class for a Title Run?! — Evaluating the Recruiting Strategy & NIL
- Author
- Locked On Podcast Network
- Published
- Thu 03 Jul 2025
- Episode Link
- https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nittany-lions/
Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is underwhelming — and that might be by design.
Zach Seyko and guest Pat Koerbler (Black Shoe Diaries) explore the uncomfortable reality of NIL in college football and how Penn State’s emphasis on roster retention may have cost them top-tier recruits.
They cover:
- The trade-off: keep Drew Allar, Singleton, Allen… or land a 5-star DB?
- Why PSU keeps losing recruiting battles to Notre Dame and Michigan
- The real NIL problem — is it the location, the boosters, or James Franklin?
- Why 2025 is truly “championship or bust”
- How programs like Ohio State and USC are widening the gap every year
Check out Pat's work!
Pat on X: @Poerbler
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00:00 – Did Penn State Sacrifice 2026 for a Title Run?
02:00 – NIL’s Role in the 2026 Recruiting Losses
04:00 – Roster Retention Isn’t Cheap: Why 2025 Cost Them Recruits
06:00 – Why PSU Didn’t Pay Upfront for Elite HS Prospects
08:30 – NIL Retention vs NIL Recruiting: It’s Not the Same
11:35 – Sponsor Read
13:00 – Did PSU Pass on Casey Concepcion to Pay for a WR Later?
15:00 – Why Notre Dame & Michigan Keep Winning These Battles
17:30 – The Cultural & Branding Gap Between PSU and Its Rivals
20:00 – National Title or Bust: Why 2025 Is the Year
22:00 – Will PSU Ever Have a Core Like This Again?
24:30 – Franklin’s Best Chance Since 2017 (Or Ever?)
26:15 – NIL Geography: Why State College Is an Uphill Battle
29:00 – PSU's Donor Culture vs OSU, USC, Oregon
31:00 – NIL Fundraising Is Shadow Work — No Recognition
33:00 – Final Thoughts: It’s Now or Never for Penn State Football
