Why Penn State's James Franklin Asks Some Prospects Not to Commit
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Four players committed to, and two decommitted from, Penn State's 2023 recruiting class in July, when the cycle began rounding toward home to the early signing period. Plenty of time remains before then for players to change their minds. Coaches, too.
For Penn State's James Franklin, that's part of the problem with recruiting.
"Let's be honest," Franklin said. "That commitment and that loyalty are a two-way street. We see some institutions that drop guys right before Signing Day because they find someone they think is better. But then they get upset when a player does it to them. To me, that's something that recruits and high school coaches and parents should look at."
At Big Ten Media Days, Franklin addressed one of the key moments in recruiting: the commitment. Players and coaches commit to each other months, or even years, in advance, often with lavish graphics, announcements or videos.
But the relationship doesn't become binding until players sign their Letters of Intent in December or February. In the meantime, as Franklin has said in the past, an oral commitment merely identifies the recruiting competition for coaches.
The NCAA Transfer Portal and Name, Image and Likeness opportunities have complicated the concept, allowing players free reign to decommit even after spending a year with a program.
Coaches always have have that ability. Now, players freely can frustrate coaches by changing their minds during and after the recruiting process. Which is why Franklin said he offers this advice to high school players: Don't commit until you're truly ready.
"With some of these schools, you talk to kids and parents [who say] they were pressured: 'If you don't commit to us, we're taking this other guy,'" Franklin said. "For me, it's the opposite. Kids try to commit to us, and I try to talk them out of it."
That certainly doesn't happen all the time, as every coach has a recruiting timeline. And sometimes, every coach injects a bit of pressure into the process, since recruiting classes fill and coaches pursue limited numbers at each position.
But generally, Franklin said, his policy remains firm. Commit to Penn State when you're ready, but make sure that's your final decision.
"I’d rather you not commit than commit and change your mind down the road," Franklin said. "What if School X offers you, will that change your mind? What if the Philadelphia Eagles try to draft you right out of high school? Literally, I try to talk them out of [committing], because I think there's still value in your word, in your reputation and in what the word 'commitment' means."
But, as Franklin quickly added, both parties must value the word "commitment."
"It bothers me because literally we try to talk them out of it and make sure that the kids, the parents, the high school coaches and anybody else who is involved in the process is comfortable and understand what it means," Franklin said. "Once you're there [at the commitment stage], then it's wonderful. It's get up and hug and celebrate and embrace.
"But then the process is over for you, just like it's over for us. That’s what bothers me — how thorough we are about that. Because to me, if you pressure a kid and a family before maybe they are ready and then they change their mind, well then you created that [decommitment] to to a degree."
The commitment drama ends for most prospects Dec. 21, when the three-day early signing period begins. Signing Day for the 2023 recruiting class is Feb. 1, 2023.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
