Penn State commit Matt Sieg thought he had his recruiting journey all figured out.
In November of his junior season, he committed to Penn State, and there was never a concern that he’d waiver from that.
He’s a Pennsylvania guy, growing up in the Pittsburgh area.
His father, Jeff, grew up in State College and could see Beaver Stadium from his house. Matt also loved James Franklin and Penn State’s coaching staff, which was just as big a reason as any for his commitment as anything else.
So when Penn State fired Franklin Oct. 12, it threw a wrench into everything.
Less than 24 hours after Franklin’s firing, Sieg announced that he was still committed to Penn State but would reopen his recruitment.
After this, schools that Matt hadn’t communicated with in a while were back in play, so in a way, it was starting all over again.
“Kind of just taking it day by day,” Sieg told Nittany Sports Now exclusively. “Taking in all the information I can, making some more relationships since it’s been so long. So kind of just taking it day by day, looking to make a decision around signing day, and hopefully figure everything out.”
Sieg’s first visit after re-opening his recruitment was to Curt Cignetti and Indiana, where he saw IU beat Michigan State 38-13.
Up next, he stayed home to see Pat Narduzzi and Pitt beat NC State.
Now, Sieg will be visiting Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame for its game against Navy, scheduled for 7:30 Saturday night. Thanksgiving weekend, he’ll be going to Morgantown for Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia‘s clash with Texas Tech.
THE FINALISTS
Although Sieg did say other schools could be in play in recruiting, the ones he’s talking to the most are, in no particular order, Notre Dame, Indiana, Pitt, Penn State, and West Virginia. There’s a lot to like about each of those schools from Sieg’s standpoint.
Indiana and Notre Dame are national championship contenders.
Pitt and West Virginia are the two schools closest to home, and West Virginia brings another interesting dynamic.
Although Sieg is going to college as a safety as of now, he’s a WPIAL record-setting, dual-threat quarterback, so he’s capable of playing offense.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.If he goes to WVU, his skill set could fit into what Rodriguez’s scheme is all about, which is all about speed.
As for Penn State? Well, it’s hard to answer that until Franklin’s replacement is named, which is a big reason why Sieg doesn’t plan to make his decision until close to early signing day, which is Dec. 4.
In the meantime, he’s still communicating with interim coach Terry Smith— another Pittsburgh guy– and the Penn State coaching staff.
“I still talk to them and text them weekly,” Sieg said. “Still just a great relationship with them and everybody out there. Nothing but love. Hopefully everything works out and we can continue with stuff as planned, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
“What’s great is I was able to make some good relationships with a lot of players out there,” he said. “So seeing who stays with it in that respect definitely helped the comfortability.”
THE FRANKLIN FACTOR
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Something else that could be a big part of Sieg’s recruiting is what Franklin’s first stop after Penn State is.
If he becomes the head coach at Virginia Tech, will Sieg be a Hokie?
It’s hard to know that before Franklin takes his next job, but the two still communicate in the meantime.
“I love Coach Franklin,” Sieg said. “We have a great relationship. I’ve talked to him a few times. Just a great person, a great person that I really wanted to play for. Hopefully, I’ll still have that opportunity depending on where it is. He’s a great guy, and I’m sure that whatever happens, I’ll have a continued great relationship with him, no matter what. I’m just so thankful to him and his staff for being the first ones to give me an opportunity and make great relationships. Hopefully everything works out.”
It’s also worth noting that, wherever Franklin goes, he could take Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter— who Sieg also grew close to– with him.
But a lot of this will depend on when Franklin makes his next move and how close it is to signing day.
Penn State is still in play, and Sieg talked about what he wants to see from the next coach.
“I think just the same things we look for in coach Franklin,” Sieg said. “That family and love atmosphere. They care about their players, and hopefully, I’ll get that same vibe from the new coach, whoever they bring in.”
