Matt Zollers, a top-2025 prospect out of Roysersfor, Pa., the star 6-foot-4 and 205-pound five-star prospect was sought after by several of the top programs across the country but was one real big fish that James Franklin and Penn State Football just couldn’t hook.
Despite Zollers commmitted to Missouri earlier this year, the Nittany Lions might not be out of the mix just yet.
Franklin typically does very well owning the state, with a 60 percent recruiting success rate on in-state talent.
However, Zollers was a huge fish that they went after hard, and lost out on to the SEC.
This weekend, though, Zollers will be back in Happy Valley and back inside Beaver Stadium on a recruiting visit for the highly-anticipated showdown with major Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications between No. 3 Penn State Football and No. 4 Ohio State.
Could Penn State Football Sway Matt Zollers Back Home?
Zollers’ decision was a bit of a surprise across the industry, especially because Penn State clears Mizzou in almost every aspect of the program, and has been more relevant in recent years.
The Tigers just have just one double-digit win season in the last decade in 2023, and the four years prior never made it above six wins.
Meanwhile, Penn State Football has posted five double-digit win seasons during that same period.
Maybe Zollers was promised to be a difference-maker?
But, in the SEC, if we’re being real Missouri most likely won’t make the College Football Playoff during Zollers’ time. It’s extremely competitive and even the best in the SEC are at risk of a loss at any point.
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The ramifications of a Penn State victory over Ohio State this week are exponential. If the Nittany Lions can pull it off in front of over 100 recruits, with Zollers watching, it could go so far for the future and talent of the program.
Zollers may not get a new Dodge and have to work for a start, but he would play for an elite team on the rise, in the greatest environment in the nation.
Maybe James Franklin can beat The Buckeyes, and win Zollers over, as well.
MORE: Penn State’s Reasons for Confidence, and to Worry Against Ohio State
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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