Penn State Dealt Concerning Update on Nation's No. 1 RB

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 11:39 AM ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions have already received four commitments in the 2027 recruiting class, with the biggest being running back Kemon Spell.

Out of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Rivals Industry Rankings has Spell as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 running back, and the No. 9 player in the nation.

He's a huge addition for the Nittany Lions, originally pledging on Aug. 4, 2024, and is the program's first five-star commit (per Rivals Industry Rankings) since EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, QB Drew Allar and RB Nick Singleton in the 2022 recruiting class.

Penn State is Still Fighting to Keep Spell

However, despite committing over a year ago, the running back hasn't completely shut his recruitment down. While talking to On3's Hayes Fawcett, Spell revealed which other programs he's keeping an eye on.

“Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan, USC, Notre Dame, and I’m interested in Alabama," Spell said.

Fawcett also noted that Spell has several unofficial visits lined up with other programs, including Ohio State (Saturday), Florida State (Oct. 4), Notre Dame (Oct. 18), Tennessee (Nov. 1), Alabama (TBA), USC (TBA and Michigan (TBA).

Plenty of Running Backs are Still Available

Luckily for Penn State, though, teams may soon shift their focus to some of the other great running backs that remain uncommitted in the 2027 class.

In fact, among the top 20 players at the position, Spell and North Carolina Tar Heels commit Amir Brown (No. 20 RB) are the only running backs who have pledged themselves to a program.

That means these teams looking to poach Spell from the Nittany Lions may instead turn toward an easier but still talented recruit who is not already tied down to another school, leaving him all to Penn State.

Spell's Fit in Penn State's Offense

Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 210 pounds, Spell already has a similar build to Penn State's two premier running backs, Singleton (6-foot-0, 224 pounds) and Kaytron Allen (5-foot-11, 217 pounds), with two more years of high school to grow.

Last year, for McKeesport High School, he rushed the ball 157 times, racking up 1,681 yards and 24 touchdowns.

It may not have shown up on the stats sheet, but 247Sports' Andrew Ivins noted that Spell "has impressed as a pass catcher on the offseason camp circuit."

A running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield was crucial to head coach James Franklin's 2024 offense, with Singleton hauling in 41 receptions for 375 yards and five touchdowns.

Having a player like Spell, who already fits the mold for what Penn State is looking for, puts even more pressure on ensuring he doesn't flip his commitment.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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