Prized 2027 WPIAL Running Back Commits to Penn State

The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder picked Penn State over a handful of big offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Florida State, Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse, Maryland, Wisconsin and others.

According to Dylan Callaghan-Croley of Happy Valley Insider, Spell took a visit to Penn State from the program’s Lasch Bash, a key recruiting weekend for the Nittany Lions. Spell then discussed the idea of committing with the Penn State staff on Thursday.

This is a big loss for the hometown team Pitt Panthers, who became the first school to offer Spell just weeks into his high school career on Sept. 14 of 2023

Although the Class of 2027 is still brimming with talent, especially at the running back position, Spell has a bright future. During his freshman campaign, Spell recorded 37 carries for 517 yards (14.1 yards per carry) for an 11-2 Tigers squad that played eventual PIAA Class-4A champs Aliquippa close in the playoffs.

Penn State’s splash early in the 2027 is another example of James Franklin’s success of luring WPIAL talent to State College, Pa.

In each of the past three years, Penn State has landed a WPIAL running back with four-star Tiqwai Hayes (Aliquippa) in 2025 and four-star Quinton Martin (Belle Vernon) in 2024.

Along with Hayes, Penn State has landed four other local products in linebackers Dayshaun Burnett (Imani) and Alex Tatsch (Latrobe), along with defensive back Xxavier Thomas (Central Catholic) and athlete Brady O’Hara.

Be sure to check out Pittsburgh Sports Now’s WPIAL Football Recruiting board, tracking all of the local area’s commits and offers: