Penn State Loses Commit From 2026 Recruiting Class to Indiana

Keys became the third former Penn State recruit to commit to a Big Ten school. Darrell Carey, a 3-star safety from Maryland, committed to the Maryland Terrapins on Nov. 5. And Jack Fuchs, a 3-star offensive lineman from Tennessee, committed to the Northwestern Wildcats on Nov. 11.

Also on Sunday, one of the most important players in Penn State's 2026 class announced that he has decommitted. Kevin Brown, a 4-star offensive lineman from Harrisburg (Pa.) High, was the second-ranked player in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Brown (6-5, 270 pounds) is the second-ranked player in Pennsylvania and the No. 6 offensive tackle nationally in the recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Brown has taken visits to West Virginia and Ohio State in the past few weeks. He is one of the top players Penn State had hoped to retain through the coaching transition.

Where Penn State's 2026 recruiting class stands

Penn State's 2026 class, once ranked among the nation's top 15, now is 59th and 15th in the Big Ten, acording to the 247Sports Composite. Penn State is down to 12 committed players in the class, most of whom have announced they are taking visits to other programs. That includes 4-star Pennsylvania safety Matt Sieg, a top-100 player nationally.

Thirteen Penn State recruits have decommitted since Franklin's firing, with eight announcing commitments to other schools. Among them, Delaware 4-star receiver Jahsiear Rogers receiver flipped to the Oklahoma Sooners, and 4-star athlete David Davis from Pittsburgh flipped to North Carolina.

Penn State is in Week 6 of its coaching search to replace Franklin, who reportedly is negotiating to become Virginia Tech's next head coach. Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith said the program continues to maintain contact with its committed players, who can begin signing their 2026 contracts Dec. 3.

"They're all like on stand-by," Smith said. "They've all been communicating with us. We've done some FaceTimes, some calls. We're just doing the best we can just keeping an open line of communication and staying in touch until we figure out what's next."

Penn State (4-6) plays its final home game of the season Saturday against Nebraska. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBC.

What happens next for Penn State? Stay on top of all the Nittany Lions news by subscribing to thePenn State newsletter. It's your free daily window into the Nttany Lions.