Pat Kraft Backs Up “Big Swing” Talk With Penn State Targeting Elite B1G Recruiter, Reports Say

While Ohio State’s Brian Hartline does not have head coaching experience, Hartline is one of the best recruiters in the country, filling Ohio State’s receiver room with elite talent year-in and year-out.

Hartline has been one of Ohio State’s most trusted coaches on the offensive side of the ball for years in Columbus and took over as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator this season.

This season under Hartline, Ohio State’s offense is averaging 36.4 points per game and 6.91 yards per play (16^th nationally).

Penn State Could Add a Rising Star

At only 38 years old, Hartline is a coach on the rise in the profession with a high ceiling to grow into as a head coach.

During his time with the Buckeyes, Hartline has produced four first-round picks as wide receivers and has been the top recruiter and developer of receivers in the nation.

Earlier in cycle, Lions247’s Tyler Donahue reported that Hartline’s name had come up “in discussions with national-level industry sources and with local people who have a solid sense for this process.”

According to online betting site Kalshi, Hartline’s odds to become Penn State’s next head coach have spiked since Saturday.

On Saturday, Kalshi had Hartline at a 6.2 percent chance to become Penn State’s next head coach. As of Monday afternoon, Hartline’s odds have spiked to 28 percent, behind only Nebraska’s Matt Rhule (41 percent).