Money talks, especially in college football.
Everything changed when NIL came into existence a few years ago and altered the landscape of college sports forever.
Gone are the days of amateurism as brand deals and universities paying players have taken over.
Culture, fit, team success, preparedness for the NFL, and other factors still significantly matter, but many players could choose to go where the money takes them.
If that’s the case, it won’t always take them to Penn State. On3 updated its 2025 recruiting rankings earlier this month and identified NIL averages for players at each school.
According to On3, Penn State is paying its players an average of $87,000. For the recruiting class of 2026, the number is even lower.
The site sources Penn State with a $59,000 average payout for players. That’s lower than Texas Tech ($81k), Washington ($72k), Ole Miss ($72k), South Carolina ($72k), and BYU ($69k).
Penn State is frequently in the final groupings for recruits who hold offers from Oregon ($232k), Georgia ($189k), Ohio State ($150k), Notre Dame ($104k), and Michigan ($91k), who all significantly outspend the Nittany Lions.
James Franklin has consistently said Penn State is built through high school recruiting, culture, and player retention. He isn’t in the market to build a program around transfers and fully turnover his roster due to NIL.
“I want this experience to be so much more than a transactional experience,” Franklin said after losing to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals. “I want it to be transformational.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.It’s natural some players will leave for other opportunities, whether it’s playing-time related or a personal decision.
Nowadays, we’ve seen more transactional moves. Penn State has made a few.
It’s no secret PSU has improved through the portal. PSU revamped the wide receiver room with Kyron Hudson (USC), Devonte Ross (Troy), and Trevor Peña (Syracuse) thanks to the portal.
Linebacker Amare Campbell (North Carolina) and returning safety King Mack (Alabama) help bolster Jim Knowles’ defense.
Penn State ranks No. 13 with an On3 recruiting score of 90.912 this year, below Oregon (4), Ohio State (5), Michigan (6), and Notre Dame (12).
The program slots No. 15 in 2026 (89.698) and is behind the same cluster of competitors.
Players’ retention is a critical factor in Penn State being regarded as a leading national championship threat.
Quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, defensive tackle Zane Durant, edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, linebackers Dom DeLuca and Tony Rojas (portal), cornerback A.J. Harris (portal), safety Zakee Wheatley, and four starting offensive linemen could have either entered the transfer portal or the NFL draft.
Penn State hosts Nevada on August 30 to begin the much-anticipated season in Happy Valley.
