Penn State football’s head coach and associate head coach were in WPIAL country for Penn Hills-Aliquippa.
James Franklin and Terry Smith— a Pittsburgh native who became a legendary player and coach at Gateway High School in Monroeville— were in attendance, getting a look at one of Penn State’s Class of 2025 commits, Tikey Hayes, along with Hayes’ teammate Larry Moon III and’s with Penn Hills’ Carter Bonner, who each have Penn State offers.
Penn State HC James Franklin and associate HC/CB coach Terry Smith on hand for Aliquippa-Penn Hills.
Aliquippa’s Tikey Hayes is a ‘25 PSU commit, while DB Larry Moon III (‘27) is one of the top prospects in the WPIAL.
Penn Hills’ ‘27 WR/DB Carter Bonner also holds a PSU offer. pic.twitter.com/DM1CKV038Y
— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) September 20, 2024
Hayes — a 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back — committed to Penn State in September of last year as a member of the class of 2025. He holds a four-star rating from Rivals and is ranked as the 20th-best player at his position.
While Hayes is battling through an injury and is a game-time decision against Penn Hills, the coaching staff will no doubt further their relationship with Hayes, who has been pursued by other Power Four programs since his commitment.
Hayes did announce via X that he will be back in State College this weekend for a gameday visit as the Nittany Lions take on Kent State.
Franklin and Smith were also in attendance to check in on two 2027 prospects that hold Penn State offers.
Moon — a 5-foot-11, 180-pound four-star defensive back — has been a key Penn State target for quite some time, picking up an offer in June of 2023. He has taken at least seven visits to Penn State, according to Rivals.com.
Franklin and Smith are working to build their connection with the coveted recruit, who holds offers from other top-tier programs such as Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame and many others.
Also in that class, Bonner holds an offer from the Nittany Lions. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wide receiver/defensive back has collegiate measurables and holds other offers from Pitt, Michigan State, West Virginia, Maryland, UNLV and Akron.
Bonner picked up and offer from Penn State in April of this year and made a game day visit last season against Indiana.
