Scoring Machine: 2026 Penn State commit, top recruit in PA Messiah Mickens approaching 10 TDs through 2 games

Penn State football has excelled at recruiting and developing in-state running backs during the James Franklin era. From Saquon Barkley to Nicholas Singleton, the Keystone State has been good to the Nittany Lions in the last decade. And the good news is, this trend doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon. The Nittany Lions’ latest recruiting win, Messiah Mickens, has been on an absolute tear to start the high school football season. The 2026 Penn State commit and projected No. 1 player in Pennsylvania is already approaching 10 touchdowns through two games, and appears to only be getting started.

No. 1 player in Pennsylvania Messiah Mickens is a touchdown machine

Penn State football got a major early recruiting win back in August when it earned the commitment of Trinity High School athlete Messiah Mickens. While there are still several years until he will be a Nittany Lions, Mickens already has the makings of a future star. 247Sports has the 2026 Penn State commit rated as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and a top 30 prospect in the nation for his recruiting cycle.

And early in the 2023 high school football season, Mickens is proving that the hype is justified. The sophomore has an eye-popping seven touchdowns through two games so far this season.

In Week 1, Messiah Mickens led the way in Trinity High School’s blowout victory. Mickens had 185 yards on the ground and two scores, as well as a 66-yard touchdown reception through the air. The 2026 Penn State commit was at it again on Friday night. Mickens ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns in Trinity’s 37-16 win over Moore Catholic. The sophomore also flashed his two-way versatility, recording a sack in the game.

2026 Penn State commit already knows he can be a star

While Penn State fans are rightly focused on the dynamic running backs currently in Happy Valley, the future of the position looks very bright for the Nittany Lions. Quinton Martin, the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania for the 2024 cycle, also put on a stellar performance Friday night. The Penn State commit had four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving, in Belle Vernon’s blowout win.

But with three seasons of high school football left to play, Mickens is already developing into an extremely impressive prospect. The sophomore knows what he can do, and isn’t shy about expressing it.

“This should be the normal to me,” Mickens said after the game. “Me growing up and developing as a man and a player on the field. Just me, working hard, that’s what I do, training. Just keep working, just pushing.”

Although he won’t be in Happy Valley for quite some time, Penn State fans should get used to hearing about Messiah Mickens. His name won’t be fading from the headlines any time soon.