Penn State's top RB commitment books official visits to Notre Dame and UNC
One of Penn State's top commitments in the Class of 2026 has reportedly locked in an official visit to the school that bounced the Nittany Lions from the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame. The timing of this news may not be coincidental, as a former Penn State assistant who had a hand in he recruiting process has moved from Penn State to Notre Dame.
The recruit in question is four-star running back Messiah Mickens, of Harrisburg. Mickens has been committed to Penn State since August 2023 and it seemed for a long time this was a safe commitment for the Nittany Lions. However, the offseason move of running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider to Notre Dame may have inspired Mickens to give the Irish a closer look before he gets to the point of signing his letter of intent later this year.
It should be no shock to see Mickens put an official visit on his schedule because he did commit so early in his recruiting process. It is never wise to skip out on exploring all opportunities when going through the recruiting process, which is why decommitments happens in the recruiting game all the time. Mickens has visited Notre Dame before too, although not with Seider in his new role in South Bend.
This should be considered a bit worrisome for James Franklin and his staff given the optics of everything in this stage of the recruiting game, but it should also not be something that takes the staff by surprise either.
When Mickens will make his official trip to Notre Dame is unconfirmed at this time, but it will surely be something to keep a close eye on when it does happen. But Mickens will not be done with official visits after visiting Notre Dame. Mickens shared on his social media account that he will also be taking an official visit to North Carolina with new head coach Bill Belichick. That official visit is scheduled for June 20-22.
🐑@Belichick_B@_thebillymiller@coachmeans_20pic.twitter.com/APZaljj2Vt
— Messiah Mickens (@Messiah_1M) March 14, 2025
So it is clear that Penn State has a little extra work to do to secure a commitment from one of the top recruits in Pennsylvania. The competition just got a bit tougher for the Nittany Lions.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Top RB commit for Penn State to take official visits elsewhere
Topics
-
Penn State 2026 running back commit schedules an official visit to see Notre Dame
Notre Dame football is looking like they could flip Penn State running back commit Messiah Mickens, who has scheduled an official visit to South Bend.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
How to watch Penn State vs. Ohio State in Big Ten hockey semifinal
Penn State visits Ohio State in the single elimination Big Ten hockey semifinal for a chance to play for a Big Ten championship on Saturday night.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Recent 2026 offeree schedules official visit with Michigan State football
Michigan State football is hosting a 2026 defensive back from Georgia on an official visit.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Former Penn State running back Miles Sanders signing with Dallas Cowboys, per report
Former Penn State running back will be joining Saquon Barkley's NFC East rivals.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Chiefs scouting report: Penn State Nittany Lions TE Tyler Warren
Kansas City Chiefs fans should familiarize themselves with Penn State Nittany Lions tight end and 2025 NFL draft superstar Tyler Warren.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
How to watch Ohio State vs Penn State hockey Saturday: Time, TV channel for B1G semifinal
Ohio State and Penn State face off in a Big Ten Hockey Tournament semifinal matchup. Here's how to watch, and stream the game Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Dunn scores 25, Penn State beats No. 12 Wisconsin 86-75
D’Marco Dunn had 25 points and Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 15 points and 11 rebounds as Penn State rallied in the second half for an 86-75 victory over No. 12 Wisconsin, preventing the Badgers ...ABC News - 6d -
Brady Smigiel includes Michigan football in his newly-released top four
The Wolverines are in a good place for the former Florida State commit.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Bowling Green hires Eddie George: Ohio State legend takes next step after four years leading Tennessee State
The legendary former Ohio State running back is taking another step up the college coaching ladderCBS Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
MLB season preview 2025: Best-case and worst-case scenario, make-or-break player and season prediction for every NL team
Before the Tokyo Series kicks off the regular season on Tuesday, let's take a look at all the teams in the National League.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Patriots missed on Cooper Kupp and other top WR targets. Now what?
What's next for the New England Patriots after missing on Cooper Kupp in free agency?Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Class 3A boys basketball: Millwood defeats Cascia Hall to win state championship
Millwood won its 18th state championship in program history with a 60-57 win over Cascia Hall in the Class 3A boys basketball title game Saturday at State Fair Arena.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Can Tampa Bay Catch Lightning In A Bottle And Return To Their Championship Ways?
By Nicholas Rego, The Hockey News InternYahoo Sports - 19m -
Bears OL Joe Thuney explains why he wanted to play for Ben Johnson
New Bears guard Joe Thuney said Ben Johnson's offense is what you want to be a part of.Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Champions League qualification is the only positive Man City have left -- and they might miss it
Man City's awful season could end with one positive: qualification for next season's Champions League. But they are playing so poorly, they might not even get there.ESPN - 12m -
Patriots missed on Cooper Kupp and other top WR targets. Now what?
What's next for the New England Patriots after missing on Cooper Kupp in free agency?Yahoo Sports - 16m -
MLB season preview 2025: Best-case and worst-case scenario, make-or-break player and season prediction for every NL team
Before the Tokyo Series kicks off the regular season on Tuesday, let's take a look at all the teams in the National League.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Class 3A boys basketball: Millwood defeats Cascia Hall to win state championship
Millwood won its 18th state championship in program history with a 60-57 win over Cascia Hall in the Class 3A boys basketball title game Saturday at State Fair Arena.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Can Tampa Bay Catch Lightning In A Bottle And Return To Their Championship Ways?
By Nicholas Rego, The Hockey News InternYahoo Sports - 19m