Penn State’s football season has taken a sharp turn after straight losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern in the last three weeks. Now, as James Franklin rumors and speculation continue to unfold, it seems like the Nittany Lions’ recruiting class could be impacted by what’s happening on the field.
Class of 2027 five-star running back Kemon Spell has been committed to Penn State since August 2024. The Pennsylvania native has been a cornerstone piece that Franklin can build his class around, but it looks like Penn State will have to fight hard to keep him committed.
On Friday, Spell was asked about whether he was “still 100% Penn State.” The question was also asked on the heels of the Nittany Lions losing a commitment from four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor earlier in the day.
“No, I’m not,” Spell answered. “I’m not 100% with Penn State anymore. I will be taking visits and everything else, so we’ll see from there.”
If Spell isn’t 100% locked in to Penn State, it’ll open doors for other programs to join the recruitment, such as Tennessee. GoVols247’s Ryan Callahan reported back in August that Tennessee will host Spell for the Oklahoma game coming up in less than a month on Nov. 1.
2027 Penn State Commit 5⭐️RB Kemon Spell says “I’m not 100% with Penn State anymore. I will be taking visits and we’ll see from there”
(Via @KBarnes_PG)
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) October 11, 2025
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Tennessee has proven to be successful at flipping targets, especially during the 2026 recruiting cycle. In an 11-day stretch at the end of August, Tennessee flipped three SEC commits: five-star WR Tristen Keys from LSU, four-star EDGE Hezekiah Harris, and four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair. The Vols have been able to create and strengthen relationships with prospects on the recruiting trail, which has helped pay off in a big way.
According to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Spell is the top-ranked running back in the 2027 recruiting class. He also comes in as the No. 8 player in the class and the No. 2 player from the state of Pennsylvania.
“A mix between a tank and a jackrabbit, which is an extremely difficult combination to tackle,” 247’s Andrew Ivins wrote in an April evaluation. “A naturally low-to-the-ground runner with true workhorse capabilities as he constantly bounces off defenders or cuts around them to find extra yardage. Spent much of sophomore campaign deployed as a fullback in a Wing-T offense. Ran absolutely wild in Pennsylvania’s WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with 280-yard and 274-yard rushing performances. Not a true burner, but can hit the gas when a crease opens up.”
Tennessee has another high-profile running back target in the 2027 class, though, with four-star prospect David Gabriel Georges from Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. Georges has gotten out to a monster start to the season and should be rising up the recruiting rankings soon. 247Composite has him as the No. 2 running back and the No. 15 prospect in the class.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news.
