National Signing Day 2016: Top 14 recruiting classes heading into Wednesday
By John Buhler
14. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions in its second season under head coach James Franklin finished 7-6 in 2015, but played in what was arguably the toughest division in college football last year in the Big Ten East. Penn State has to hold its own in the East, as the Michigan Wolverines, the Michigan State Spartans, and the Ohio State Buckeyes are all College Football Playoff caliber teams in that division.
Entering National Signing Day 2016, Franklin’s Nittany Lions have the 14th best recruiting class according to Scout with four commitments in the Top 100, two five-star recruits, six four-star recruits, and 10 three-stars.
Of Penn State’s 18 commitments, seven project as offensive players, nine project as defensive players, and two will play special teams for Coach Franklin’s Nittany Lions. Penn State also has the No. 4 recruiting class in the Big Ten entering National Signing Day.
Penn State’s two five-star recruits are offensive tackle Michal Menet and running back Miles Sanders. Menet is the No. 24 overall recruit in his class, the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country, and an in-state talent out of Exeter Township Senior High School in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Sanders is the No. 25 overall recruit in his class, the No. 1 running back in the country, and an in-state talent out of Woodland Hills Senior High School in Pittsburgh.
Overall, Penn State is doing a fine job hanging tough in the Big Ten with regards to recruiting. The Nittany Lions will have some work to do to get inside the top 10, but seem like a lock to have a top 15 class come National Signing Day 2016.
Next: 13. TCU Horned Frogs