Penn State Football Recruiting

Recruiting Update: Top Penn State RB Recruit Still Committed But Weighing Options

Published

February 14, 2025

Penn State RB Messiah Mickens is the best prep player in PA, per Gatorade.

Photo by Penn State Athletics: Messiah Mickens

In recruiting news, Penn State football’s top running back commit is weighing his options in wake of RB coach Ja’Juan Seider departing for Notre Dame.

Moving On: Penn State RB Coach Ja’Juan Seider Leaving For Notre Dame

Messiah Mickens, a consensus four-star from Harrisburg who’s the No. 10 back in the country and No. 4 overall player in PA from his class per On3Sports, told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that although he’s committed to Penn State, he’s still looking at other schools.

Long-time Penn State RB commit Messiah Mickens is exploring some other options after a coaching change in Happy Valley. Notre Dame, North Carolina, Mizzou and South Carolina are involved. Story here: https://t.co/dTJrv0JsQm pic.twitter.com/w175VHql1u

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) February 14, 2025

Mickens told Wiltfong he plans on taking official visits to Notre Dame, North Carolina, Missouri and Tennessee. He already has officials locked in with Notre Dame and North Carolina and will have the official dates soon. At Notre Dame, Mickens would be playing for Seider. At North Carolina, he’d be playing for Bill Belichick. Tennessee was a Playoff team in 2024. Mickey’s also said South Carolina is in the mix and he plans on taking an official there.

So this is certainly something worth watching.

WHAT MICKENS SAID

“ND, UNC, Mizzou, Tennessee,” Mickens said. “Those are the schools I’m just exploring.

“Those are the schools I’m planning on taking OVs to. Also South Carolina. Only schools I locked in officials with so far is UNC and ND. I will have the dates by (Friday).”

To no surprises, Mickens said Belichick is why he’s interested in Carolina and Seider is a “big part” of his interest in Notre Dame.

Mickens has also been friends with South Carolina signee Lex Cyrus, a receiver from Harrisburg’s Susquehanna Township High school that Penn State was a finalist for, since childhood

‘SUPER HARD’ TO LEAVE

The good news for Penn State fans is that Mickens, who’s been committed to Penn State since Aug. 2023, told Wiltfong it would be “super hard for me to leave, honestly”

“God will give me the sign if it’s right or not,” he said.

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.

He’s also pretty darn good defensively, ending the season with 81 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

Penn State’s new RB coach, Stan Drayton, talked with Mickens on the phone Thursday night, before his hiring was reported.

Stan the Man: Penn State Has Its New RB Coach

“He’s a great coach,” Mickens said. “He definitely knows his knowledge about running backs. Now it’s just time to build a relationship with him.”

“Had a chance to talk to him and pick his brain,” Mickens said. “He wants to make me the best back in the country and develop me. He has a great level of IQ for the running back position. He was just breaking a lot of stuff down to me.”

Penn State currently has nine players committed to its 2026 recruiting class, which On3 has at No. 7 in the country.