In recruiting news, one of Penn State footballโs Class of 2026 commits has been named Pennsylvaniaโs Gatorade Player of the Year.
Late Friday morning, word got out that Messiah Mickens, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound in-state RB from Harrisburg High School, had been named his stateโs Gatorade Player of the Year.
๐จ๐จ Future Penn State RB Messiah Mickens (@Messiah_1M) was named Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year on Friday morning.
He totaled more than 1,400 yards rushing and had 80+ tackles, including 39 TFL (!!), as a junior this season.
Mickens: https://t.co/aEsMPtsf2n pic.twitter.com/NaPCjKp2DR
— Ryan Snyder (@RyanSnyderOn3) December 6, 2024
Itโs a well-deserved honor.
Mickens has firmly established himself as one of the best prep running backs in the country and he further solidified that in 2024. He ended the season with 1,214 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, also catching 17 passes for 235 yards and additional two TD.
Heโs also pretty darn good defensively, ending the season with 81 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
In his scouting report for 247Sports, recruiting expert Brian Dohn described the Penn State commit as a guy who โmakes an impact in the running game and the passing game.โ
โShowed big-play ability and consistency throughout his freshman season,โ he 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. Tracks the ball well and has soft hands. Is difficult to bring down after the catch. Is difficult for defensive backs to track down in the open field. Is a high-level Power 5 prospect with high-end NFL draft characteristics.โ
THE BEST IN PAโฆ
Matt Sieg
Thereโs a lot of time between now and the next national signing period, which is next December. But so far, Penn Stateโs Class of 2026 is one of Americaโs best. 247Sports ranks the class as No. 3 in the country behind Oregon and Texas A&M. A big part of the classโs success is guys from PA. Three of Penn Stateโs seven commits are from home and another is from West Virginia.
Currently, Penn State is getting ready to play Oregon for the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 on Fox at Lucas Oil Stadium.
