Penn State TANKED the 2026 Class for a Title Run?! — Evaluating the Recruiting Strategy & NIL

Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is underwhelming — and that might be by design.Zach Seyko and guest Pat Koerbler (Black Shoe Diaries) explore the uncomfortable reality of NIL in college football and how Penn State’s emphasis on roster retention may have cost them top-tier recruits.They cover:- The trade-off: keep Drew Allar, Singleton, Allen… or land a 5-star DB?- Why PSU keeps losing recruiting battles to Notre Dame and Michigan- The real NIL problem — is it the location, the boosters, or James Franklin?- Why 2025 is truly “championship or bust”- How programs like Ohio State and USC are widening the gap every yearCheck out Pat's work!Pat on X: @PoerblerPat on BSD: https://www.sbnation.com/users/Patrick%20Koerbler?\_gl=1\*1mx8yku\*\_ga\*MTk0ODgwMzQ3NC4xNzM3MDAxMDE2\*\_ga\_2M5GYNY1YS\*MTczNzAwMTAxNS4xLjEuMTczNzAwMTAyMi41My4wLjA.Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTubeLocked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollegeFollow the show on X!https://x.com/LockedOnNittanyhttps://x.com/zach\_seyko#lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #football#recruiting #footballrecruiting #pennstaterecruiting #collegerecruiting #collegefootballrecruiting #highschoolfootballKey words:penn statepenn state nittany lionspenn state footballpenn state schedulepenn state universitypenn state football schedulepenn state basketballpenn state gamepenn state ohio statepenn state michiganpenn state wrestlingpenn state scorepenn state newspenn state rosterpenn state football newspenn state football gamecollege footballpenn state recruitingpenn state football recruitingpenn state football todaypsu footballjames franklinandy kotelnickijim knowlesdrew allarmike rhoadescael sandersonjames franklin press conferencemike rhoades press conferencecael sanderson press conferenceRemember to subscribe... https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=100:00 – Did Penn State Sacrifice 2026 for a Title Run?02:00 – NIL’s Role in the 2026 Recruiting Losses04:00 – Roster Retention Isn’t Cheap: Why 2025 Cost Them Recruits06:00 – Why PSU Didn’t Pay Upfront for Elite HS Prospects08:30 – NIL Retention vs NIL Recruiting: It’s Not the Same11:35 – Sponsor Read13:00 – Did PSU Pass on Casey Concepcion to Pay for a WR Later?15:00 – Why Notre Dame & Michigan Keep Winning These Battles17:30 – The Cultural & Branding Gap Between PSU and Its Rivals20:00 – National Title or Bust: Why 2025 Is the Year22:00 – Will PSU Ever Have a Core Like This Again?24:30 – Franklin’s Best Chance Since 2017 (Or Ever?)26:15 – NIL Geography: Why State College Is an Uphill Battle29:00 – PSU's Donor Culture vs OSU, USC, Oregon31:00 – NIL Fundraising Is Shadow Work — No Recognition33:00 – Final Thoughts: It’s Now or Never for Penn State Football Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.