One of the sayings I grew up hearing that has stuck with me is, “Everyone needs someone who reminds them of their greatness.”
As Penn State navigates a turbulent stretch both on and off the field following the departure of James Franklin, moments capable of uniting or energizing the fanbase have been few and far between.
But on Wednesday, Malvern Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.) defensive lineman Jackson Ford provided one of those moments, reminding many why Penn State can still be special.
In an era where verbal commitments feel fluid and recruiting flips have become expected, frustration among fans is understandable. These are high-pressure decisions for teenagers whose choices impact not only their futures, but also their families and long-term opportunities. This cycle has tested the patience of many, especially as Penn State watched a wave of recruits follow Franklin to Virginia Tech or choose new destinations entirely. Ford, however, never wavered.
“There was no reason to decommit,” Malvern Prep head coach Dave Gueriera said at Ford’s signing ceremony. “We were committed to the institution and the place. As much as he loved James and loved (defensive line coach) Deion Barnes, there was no reason to do it.”
As I wrote in my column last week, the next coaching regime must embrace a philosophy of recruiting school first rather than coach first.
Coaches change. Systems change. Staff turnover happens everywhere. Yet the most successful programs build stability when players commit to the university itself, not just to the person recruiting them.
When you look around college football this cycle, very few major SEC programs lost commits during coaching changes—Penn State, meanwhile, had its class gutted. That contrast highlights why Ford’s approach matters.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Ford made clear that his decision was always centered on Penn State.
“The people in the building are great people,” he said on 247Sports National Signing Day special on CBS Sports announcing his decision. “The program itself is built on greatness, it’s built on family. I 100% believe they’re going to be able to build it back up, and that’s why I want to stay.”
Hearing that, it struck me that Ford’s commitment required conviction, patience, and courage.
While other top recruits celebrated signings surrounded by peers heading to the same school, Ford chose to stand alone if needed. He believed in Penn State’s potential even when the outlook was cloudy and the noise was loud. That’s not common in modern recruiting.
His decision also sparked momentum almost immediately. Shortly after Ford announced, Nazareth (Pa.) quarterback Peyton Falzone recommitted, giving Penn State two early signees when many expected zero. Both players now serve as rallying points for a fanbase eager for good news and a foundation to build around.
Ford’s commitment matters because, during one of the program’s darkest stretches in recent memory, he reminded Penn State who it is and what it can still be. Every rebuilding process needs a believer.
Ford chose to be that reminder — and that belief could prove invaluable in the days ahead.
