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Tag: Penn State Football

James Franklin Fired Up for Redemption at Virginia Tech

4/2/2026

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James Franklin isn’t looking back—at least not for long. After a stunning fall from grace at Penn State in 2025, the veteran coach has landed at Virginia Tech with plans to turn frustration into fuel.

“I got a huge chip on my shoulder,” Franklin said to On3 Sports. “Kind of an unusual situation. Six games earlier, we’re playing for national championship. Now obviously some things happened that were in my control and I take total responsibility for that. But, yeah I got a big chip on my shoulder. Extremely motivated.”

Once a contender for the College Football Playoff crown, Penn State’s season unraveled fast. The Nittany Lions dropped three straight to fall to 3-3, a skid that ultimately cost Franklin his job. Despite leading the program to the 2024 CFP semifinal, his inability to beat elite opponents lingered—his record against top-10 teams sat at just 4-21.

Now, the 54-year-old coach is embracing his next challenge in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech hasn’t cracked 10 wins since 2012, and expectations are tempered for a program seeking renewed identity under new leadership. Franklin’s energy, however, suggests complacency won’t be an option.

“We got a lot of work to do,” Franklin said. “Most importantly, our players are driven, excited, and motivated. We got a really good core group of guys that stayed at Virginia Tech and guys that we brought from a number of other places too.”

The Hokies will kick off the 2026 campaign at home against VMI on September 5, a matchup that marks the official start of Franklin’s redemption story. For now, the message from Blacksburg is simple: the rebuild begins with belief.

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Former Penn State TE Luke Reynolds Chooses Virginia Tech

Josh Davis

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Former Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Luke Reynolds has committed to Virginia Tech Hokies, he told ESPN, delivering a major addition to the Hokies ahead of the 2026 college football season.

Reynolds entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month and quickly became one of the most coveted players available. He was ranked as the No. 2 tight end in ESPN’s portal rankings and stood as the top uncommitted tight end on the market.

Transfer Portal Decision Comes Quickly

As of Sunday, Reynolds officially closed his recruitment after two seasons at Penn State. A former Top 100 and five-star recruit, he was widely expected to draw national interest, and speculation linking him to Virginia Tech continued to grow in recent weeks.

Ultimately, the Hokies landed one of the most athletic tight ends in the portal, adding an experienced pass catcher with upside still untapped.

Career Overview at Penn State

Reynolds arrived in State College as the consensus top-ranked tight end in the Class of 2024. He immediately saw the field, appearing in every game as a freshman and steadily carving out a role in the offense.

During his sophomore 2025 season, Reynolds became a more prominent contributor amid major program changes, including the firing of head coach James Franklin and the hiring of Matt Campbell.

Across two seasons, Reynolds totaled 35 receptions for 368 yards and one touchdown in 29 career games.

Luke Reynolds Career Statistics

SeasonGamesReceptionsYardsTDsRush Yards
2024169111132
20251326257026
Career2935368158

In 2025, Reynolds finished as Penn State’s fourth-leading receiver, showcasing his ability to create mismatches down the field.

Athletic Profile Sets Him Apart

Originally a high school quarterback, Reynolds brings rare athletic traits for the tight end position. At 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds, he combines size with speed, having recorded a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump during pre-college testing.

He is known for strong hands, body control, and the ability to separate from defenders. One of the defining moments of his Penn State career came in 2024, when he executed a 32-yard fake punt run against Minnesota to help seal a victory.

NFL Upside and What Comes Next

NFL scouts view Reynolds as a potential early-round draft pick if his development continues, particularly in the blocking aspect of his game. His receiving skills and athletic profile already place him among the most intriguing tight ends at the collegiate level.

Now set to join Virginia Tech, Reynolds will look to elevate his production and maximize his draft stock while becoming a focal point of the Hokies’ offense. His commitment represents a significant portal win and a major boost to Virginia Tech’s roster heading into 2026.

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Penn State Lands Christian Askew: Former James Madison DB Commits After Official Visit

Penn State added another piece to its 2026 recruiting class, securing a commitment from former James Madison defensive back signee Christian Askew following an official visit to State College, according to Lions247.com.

Askew becomes the latest addition to the secondary for the Nittany Lions, bolstering a recruiting class that continues to take shape under head coach Matt Campbell. The Kathleen (Ga.) Veterans standout had previously signed with the James Madison Dukes, but received his release earlier this week after head coach Bob Chesney left the program to become the new head coach at UCLA in December.

At 6-foot-4 and just over 190 pounds, Askew brings size and versatility to Penn State’s defensive backfield. He can play both cornerback and safety, giving the Nittany Lions added flexibility as they continue to reshape the secondary.

Askew originally committed to James Madison in September, choosing the Dukes over a wide range of offers that included Arkansas State, Georgia State, Air Force, Army, Georgia Southern, Navy, Northern Illinois, Dartmouth, Elon, Mercer, North Alabama, Penn, Richmond, Samford, Stony Brook, UT Martin, West Georgia, Wofford and Yale. His production backed up the interest. As a junior, Askew totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, following a sophomore season in which he recorded 11 tackles across six games.

With his commitment, Askew becomes the 14th member of Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class. He is also the second former James Madison signee to ultimately land with the Nittany Lions. Wide receiver Ben Whitver committed to Penn State in December after receiving his release from the Dukes, joining a growing group of players who shifted paths during a busy coaching carousel cycle.

Askew and Whitver, along with State College Area running back D’Antae Sheffey, are the three members of Penn State’s 2026 class who were not originally set to play for Campbell at Iowa State. Several others, however, followed Campbell’s recruiting footprint to Happy Valley, including quarterback Kase Evans, offensive linemen Mason Bandhauer and Pete Eglitis, linebacker Keian Kaiser, cornerback Josiah Zayas, safeties Tyrell Chatman, Amarion Jackson and Bryson Williams, and punter Lucas Tenbrock.

Highly regarded edge rusher Jackson Ford and four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone were already part of the class before Campbell was officially hired last month.

During his introductory press conference, Campbell emphasized development as the cornerstone of the program.

“Nobody will be better at developing their student athletes and our high school football players than us,” Campbell said. “We’ve proven that every step of the way. I think you can ask (San Francisco 49ers quarterback) Brock Purdy, (New York Jets running back) Breece Hall, (Detroit Lions running back) David Montgomery and (New York Jets defensive end) Will McDonald, man.

“It’s the flash of the stars. That’s cool on Signing Day, but winning football games on Saturday is what we’re going to be about, and that’s development. And we’re going to have to be better than anybody in college football if we want to get where we want to go.”

With Askew now on board, Penn State continues to strengthen its 2026 class, adding size, versatility and experience to a secondary that remains a priority as the program looks ahead.

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2025 Big Ten Football Rankings: Penn State, OSU lead charge into preseason

Penn State lands atop the 2025 Big Ten football rankings, boasting an edge in experience at quarterback, upgraded skill talent, and what may be the best offensive line of the James Franklin era. The defense looks strong enough to finish among the nation’s elite once again.

Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan round out the top four, each with national title potential depending on how young quarterbacks perform. In total, as many as six or seven Big Ten teams could push for a College Football Playoff spot by the end of the season.

Here’s how the full conference shapes up heading into preseason camp:

1. Penn State
Former Syracuse wideout Trebor Pena (84 receptions, 941 yards in 2024) could be one of the conference’s most impactful additions. With Drew Allar returning at quarterback and running backs Kaytron Allen (1,108 yards) and Nick Singleton (1,099 yards) anchoring the offense, Penn State is loaded. Pena’s 16 third-down conversions on 21 attempts last season will help offset the loss of tight end Ty Warren.

2. Ohio State
Julian Sayin’s emergence at quarterback is big, but more pressing is the overhaul on defense. Only three starters return, although All-American safety Caleb Downs remains. Former Patriots coordinator Matt Patricia brings an NFL background to the college game for the first time since the early 2000s.

3. Oregon
Dante Moore isn’t new to starting—he logged starts at UCLA in 2023—but now he takes over a Ducks offense designed for explosion. After a bumpy freshman year, he’ll benefit from greater familiarity with the scheme and improved talent around him.

4. Michigan
The defense is strong, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. While true freshman Bryce Underwood is the favorite to win the QB1 job, don’t count out Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, who played for new OC Chip Lindsey at UCF. Michigan’s special teams should be among the nation’s best.

5. Illinois
With one of the most experienced rosters in the Power Four, Illinois plays a physical, grind-it-out style that led to a 6–1 record in games decided by 10 points or fewer. A 10-win season and potential playoff spot aren’t out of reach.

6. Nebraska
Matt Rhule’s third season could be the breakout. Dylan Raiola looks ready to make a leap, and new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen brings creativity. The trenches will ultimately decide how far this team goes.

7. Iowa
Over the past two seasons, Iowa’s quarterbacks have totaled 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. New arrival Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State brings experience and dual-threat upside to an otherwise solid roster.

8. USC
USC was 0-6 when allowing 24 or more points last year. That stat must flip if the Trojans are to contend. The defense finished 16th in the Big Ten in yards per play and has to make major strides.

9. Indiana
Kaelon Black (251 yards) takes over the lead back role, while transfers Lee Beebe Jr. (884 yards) and Roman Hemby (607 yards) bolster the backfield. Hemby’s 40 catches for Maryland in 2024 make him a valuable dual threat.

10. Washington
Jedd Fisch enters Year 2 with increased depth after mass departures post-Kalen DeBoer. Key transfers like Arizona’s Tacario Davis and Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei bring immediate help to the defense.

11. Minnesota
The Gophers hit the portal hard at wideout after losing most of last year’s production. Drake Lindsey will work with Miami (OH)’s Javon Tracy, UCLA’s Logan Loya, and former Nebraska five-star Malachi Coleman.

12. Wisconsin
After missing a bowl for the first time since 2001, Luke Fickell needs a bounce-back year. But with games against Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio State, even reaching eight wins will be difficult.

13. UCLA
Nico Iamaleava changes the ceiling for Deshaun Foster’s team. But a shaky offensive line and brutal Big Ten schedule—including games vs. Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska, and USC—leave little room for mistakes.

14. Rutgers
Greg Schiano has led Rutgers to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over a decade. But the Scarlet Knights face a brutal schedule that includes Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State.

15. Michigan State
Aidan Chiles has the talent but struggled with consistency. If the Spartans avoid injuries and get solid play from a strong transfer class, they could reach seven wins.

16. Northwestern
If SMU transfer QB Preston Stone can steady the passing game, the Wildcats may flirt with bowl eligibility. Their strength lies in a deep backfield and solid defensive front.

17. Maryland
True freshman Malik Washington is likely the future at quarterback, but the Terps may suffer growing pains. The roster is thin, and the defense could be the Big Ten’s worst.

18. Purdue
Barry Odom worked wonders at UNLV, but 2025 might be a full rebuild at Purdue. With a depleted roster and little returning firepower, wins could be hard to come by in Year 1.

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