James Franklin and Penn State at risk of losing top 4-star talent to Bill Belichick after staff departure

James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions might be getting a taste of their own medicine this offseason on the recruiting trail. Some of the top teams in the nation have been playing musical chairs with important assistants, but there are consequences to not promoting from within. Penn State lost running backs coach Ja'Juan […]

Ian Valentino — National College Football Writer
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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks with an official Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions, 45-37.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks with an official Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions, 45-37. © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions might be getting a taste of their own medicine this offseason on the recruiting trail. Some of the top teams in the nation have been playing musical chairs with important assistants, but there are consequences to not promoting from within.

Penn State lost running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider to Notre Dame recently, and top 4-star running back recruit Messiah Mickens is now looking elsewhere. Mickens has been committed to Penn State since August 2023. 

"I'm just exploring all my options right now," Mickens said. This comes on the heels of Penn State getting a boost from NFL star Saquon Barkley for a top 2027 running back.

Mickens named Notre Dame, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri as the schools he's "exploring." He cited Bill Belichick as the reason for checking out North Carolina.

“Those are the schools I’m planning on taking OVs to. Also South Carolina. Only schools I locked in officials with so far is UNC and ND. I will have the dates by (Friday).”

Mickens is ranked as the nation's No. 10 running back and is the No. 107 overall prospect. He is included in a Nittany Lions recruiting class that ranks seventh in the country. 

As the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Mickens amassed 1,214 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns while also catching 17 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 81 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks.

Penn State still has a shot to keep Mickens, though. He made sure to say, “It would be super hard for me to leave, honestly,” Mickens said. “God will give me the sign if it’s right or not.”

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