Penn State going head-to-head with the nation's best receiver recruiter for an elite NJ playmaker who loves their culture

The Penn State Nittany Lions haven't been known as a haven for elite playmakers over the years, outside of an occasional big hit. For every Saquon Barkley and Tyler Warren is a Julian Fleming. If anything rushers and tight ends have defined the Penn State offense, not quarterbacks and receivers.

James Franklin knows this needs to change. He added three new starting receivers in the transfer portal this offseason. Getting elite high schoolers would help, too, and four-star receiver Bryan Porter is an ideal fit in the 2027 class. The New Jersey product has Penn State at the top of his list.

But the Nittany Lions will have a tough foe to beat out in this race. The Ohio State Buckeyes are the other team vying to get Porter on campus. The good news for Penn State is they've already locked him into a visit in their white out effort against Oregon in late September, whereas the Buckeyes don't have a date set for a trip.