For many Penn State fans, when the nation’s top running back in the Class of 2027, five-star McKeesport running back Kemon Spell announced in May that he was “1000% locked in” with his commitment to Penn State, there was a figurative exhale that the running back train would continue beyond Quinton Martin, Corey Smith, and Class of 2026 prospect Messiah Mickens.
When it comes to recruiting, you could hear the Lee Corso “not so fast my friends,” being said when Spell announced he would take five unofficial visits during the 2025 regular season.
Spell’s visit itinerary begins in Week 1 when he visits Ohio State for its epic clash with Texas that will be a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, which Ohio State won.
It was Ohio State’s offer and interest back in May that led to Spell “locking in” his commitment.
Former running back coach Ja’Juan Seider once again appears pushing for another Penn State pledge.
Spell will be visiting Notre Dame for its Sept. 13 clash with Texas A&M.
Seider attempted to flip Mickens when he moved for the same position in South Bend. This will be another clash between Seider and current running backs coach Stan Drayton.
Penn State follows Spell’s visit to Notre Dame for the highly anticipated White Out against Oregon Sept. 27.
The following week, Spell will take his fourth unofficial visit to Tallahassee to take in Florida State’s clash against Miami.
The final trip on Spell’s itinerary will come two weeks later when he visits Tuscaloosa to take in “The Third Saturday in October” rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee.
For Franklin and Drayton, the priority is to showcase to Spell the spectacle the White Out is and hope the present in Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Martin, and Smith can convey to the Spell his future is in Happy Valley and shut down any further visits.
