Warning Signs for 133 FBS Teams as James Franklin’s Sneaky Agenda Confirmed After Big Transfer Portal Announcement

Well, the heat’s on James Franklin, and he knows it. Look, the expectation isn’t just to make the playoffs; it’s to kick the door down and win the entire thing. While Penn State boasts a 34-8 record since 2022, that shiny record turns to rust in front of elite teams: a dismal 2-7 against top-10 teams and 0-6 against top-five opponents over the last three seasons. Since 2016, Franklin has only one win against the top-five teams. But this year’s different. Boasting the Big Ten’s fourth-ranked recruiting class and 28 early commitments, Franklin is stepping up his game. And he’s not done yet. He’s cooking something special for 2026, hinting at a larger, long-term vision.

Look, James Franklin is already stacking a pretty strong 2026 class before the summer even kicks in. They already have 17 commits, an 11th national ranking, and 4th in the Big 10. Despite all of it, there’s no sign of him slowing down a bit. As analyst Brian Dohn lays out a perfect layout of Franklin’s master plan for loading up his roster on Lions247. Best part? The 105 roster limit is already doing wonders for them. How? Imagine waiting until the summer camp in June to get your favorite player’s commitment, but that’s not the case anymore.

“I mean, it’s interesting you mentioned already about Jaziel Hart committing, and you know, I think maybe two, three years ago Penn State waited to get him back at camp again in early June to get that commitment, but those rosters are expanded to 105. My understanding is Penn State’s going to have a pretty big class of high school kids just to go with, you know, some transfers that are always part of the discussion now, but you know, normally having 17 kids and you’d be looking at around maybe a class of 25 in most years,” Brian said. And this time, James Franklin is planning to go beyond their usual recruiting limits. Crazy, right?

With seventeen commits already secured for the 2026 class, including nine since spring practice began, James Franklin’s coaching staff is now hosting major recruits on official visits. That’s exactly what Brian Dohn is highlighting, “I think they’re going to go well past that and I mean you mention all the kids that are committed and boy they got a boatload of kids coming in on official visits they had you know half a dozen or so the weekend of March 16 May 16th but it really ramps up the weekend of May 30th for the next three four weekends.” He further added, “And so I’m curious to see where this class lands because there’s some big there’s some big fish out there including like Khary Adams out of Towson Loyola Blakefield, and he has Penn State number one right now, so I’m curious to see where this goes.”

La Salle’s Joey O’Brien and Loyola Blakefield’s Khary Adams are some big names popping up. The Nittany Lions have already secured key commitments at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Their quarterback room is solid with four-star Troy Huhn (California) and Peyton Falzone (Nazareth). Messiah Mickens leads the running backs, and a dynamic receiving corps includes Davion Brown, Lavar Keys, and Jahsiear Rogers.

They’re now hosting four-star Messiah Hampton to bolster their wideouts. While the offensive line is strong, with Kevin Brown and the high-potential Roseby Lubintus, they’re still seeking additions. Defensively, Alex Haskell and Isaac Chukwurah add depth at tackle, and four-star Daniel Jennings anchors the edge. However, Deion Barnes continues recruiting, with Luke Wafle, Jackson Ford, and Carter Meadows remaining top defensive end targets. That’s really a big headache for the 133FBS team. But looks like the transfer portal is not treating them well.

James Franklin’s major transfer portal dip

Happy Valley may be feeling the tremors, but James Franklin remains unfazed. Despite Penn State’s transfer portal losses, Franklin is playing the long game. Recent departures include kicker Chase Meyer (after one season), and defensive linemen Joseph Mupoyi and Smith Vilbert, who joined Bill Belichick at UNC. Linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson and cornerback Jon Mitchell also left.

For many programs, the portal’s a net loss, but Penn State prioritizes sustainable growth over quick fixes. Enter Andy Frank. As GM of Personnel and Recruitment, Frank’s May 22nd interview on Next Up with Adam Breneman shed light on their strategy. His words weren’t just reassuring; they defined Penn State’s identity. “Ultimately, we see ourselves as a developmental program where we’re going to do the vast majority of our recruiting out of high school,” Andy said. “We’re going to help those kids develop into the best players they can be.” This sets a clear direction. The Nittany Lions aren’t patching holes; they’re cultivating future stars.

Unlike teams raiding the transfer portal like a clearance sale, Penn State employs a more strategic approach. And Andy Frank rejects the notion that portal success guarantees championships, stating, “It’s I think very difficult to build a championship team if you’re slanted heavy heavy portal.” Top playoff contenders corroborate this, primarily building rosters through traditional recruiting, developing raw talent into stars.

Penn State prefers this method – less reliance on transfers, more player development, and tighter control over team culture. While not ignoring the portal, Frank emphasizes selectivity, stating, “It’s figuring out what is the role of the transfer player and the making sure that you’re taking guys that are going to help that team that year.” This makes Penn State a calculated portal participant, focusing on seamless integration rather than flashy acquisitions. This approach might lack social media buzz, but it aligns perfectly with their long-term vision.

Culture is the foundation of everything James Franklin and Andy Frank are creating. “We’re a very relationship-based program,” Andy Frank said.  “So the kids that have the best success here are kids that believe in the staff, have seen what the staff can do for them, and so, that I think really helped us in the portal.” Penn State wants committed players, not just mercenaries focused on their next paycheck.

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