One of Penn State footballโs commits has been offered by an SEC program.
Since announcing his pledge to Penn State last August, Messiah Mickens has still been fielding offers, which is reasonable.
Mickens is in the Class of 2026 and thus has roughly a year and a half before what would be his National Signing Day in 2025.
Since committing to Penn State, heโs received offers from schools such as Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC and Wisconsin. Now, heโs added a third SEC offer since April.
Mickens posted to X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday night that heโd received an offer from Missouri.
#AGTG Beyond blessed to receive an offer from the University of Missouri
@JAbercrombie51 @RivalsFriedman @adamgorney @EdOBrienCFB @SWiltfong_ @ChadSimmons_ @PaFootballNews @RyanSnyderOn3 pic.twitter.com/Rgic4t81vb
โ Messiah Mickens (@Messiah_1M) June 20, 2024
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Mickens is an in-state product who started his high school career at Trinity but transferred to Harrisburg over the offseason, the same alma mater as former Penn State and current Cowboys star Micah Parsons.
Per 247Spoets, Mickens had the same amount of rushing yards in each of his first two seasons: 961.
This past year, he rushed for that total and scored 14 touchdowns, averaging 9.15 yards per carry.
Mickens also showed what he could do in the receiving department, ending the season with 173 yards and three touchdowns on 13 catches.
In a scouting report on Mickens posted to 247 two days after he announced his commitment last August, National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn wrote that Mickens is a guy who โmakes an impact in the rushing game and passing game.โ
โShowed big-play ability and consistency throughout his freshman season,โ Dohn wrote. โHas verified size with short shuttle in the low 4.3s to demonstrate his change of direction and stop-start ability. Can easily add size and strength to play at 215 pounds. Plays both sides of the ball and had spot duty in the return game. Can get to the outside but is most comfortable early in his high school career running between the tackles. Possesses vision and can makes cuts at a high rate of speed. Is balanced and runs through arm tackles. Possesses elusiveness behind the line of scrimmage. Allows plays to develop and is able to find the hole even when the play is designed to go elsewhere. Understands how to be patient and set up blocks on the second and third level. Is a physical runner who is willing to lower shoulder and take on linebackers and defensive backs. A willing blocker who understands the importance of and embraces blitz pickups. Already a good pass catcher who adjusts well to inaccurate throws. Lines up in the slot and comes out of the backfield in the passing game.โ
Dohn ended the report by writing that Mickens is a โhigh-level Power 5 prospect with high-end NFL draft characteristics.โ
Mickens is the lone member of Penn Stateโs 2026 recruiting class.
