Penn State cannot hit the road recruiting again until Jan. 17, but that doesn’t mean the coaching staff is ignoring prospects to start the new year.

Instead, coach James Franklin and his staff are keeping tabs on targets via electronic communication. While they’re doing that, the recruiting department, led by director of player personnel Andy Frank, surely is chopping up highlight tape for the staff to review in case any late offers need to go out for the Class of 2020.

To kick off the new year, we have some thoughts on the Lions’ efforts to find the next stars over the next 365 days. The list includes a look at how this cycle could finish, space available in the next one, insight on who the top targets are, and a few bold predictions.

Let’s get to it.

Can Penn State add to close out the Class of 2020?

The Lions signed 27 seniors during the first National Signing Day in December.

Will they add anyone else during the traditional day to sign on the first Wednesday in February?

We’re betting no at this point because the program already is over the 85-man scholarship cap since a handful of draft-eligible players decided to return. This could change if any members of the roster hit the transfer portal between now and early February, but as of today, the program will be hard-pressed to find additional space.

Which members of the 2020 class are enrolling early?

There are 11 who will start classes next week.

They are TE Theo Johnson, S Enzo Jennings, WR KeAndre Lambert, RB Caziah Holmes, DT Cole Brevard, WR Jaden Dottin, CB Joseph Johnson, LB Tyler Elsdon, DE Bryce Mostella, DT Fatorma Mulbah, and OG Nick Dawkins.

Assessing the commitments already in for the Class of 2021

The Lions picked up Jacksonville, Fla., three-star tight end Nick Elksnis on July 31, 2018, and on back-to-back days in October, they landed Harrisburg three-star guard Nate Bruce and Ohio three-star quarterback Liam Clifford, who is the brother of starting quarterback Sean.

Clifford has tremendous speed and projects as a wideout, and Bruce was an all-state pick on offense and defense after his junior season. Elksnis has a tremendous frame at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds but needs to add weight. He already has solid ball skills, however, and could be the latest early-impact player the Lions land at the position.

How much space will the Lions have in the next cycle?

In the Franklin era, Penn State twice has signed a class with 21 players or less, and the Class of 2021 could be the third.

Who are the top players in PA?

Two of the best 2021 recruits, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyle McCord, play at St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia and plan to compete at Ohio State. Another player at Prep, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., already has committed to Clemson.

It leaves Warwick offensive lineman, Nolan Rucci, as the top uncommitted player in Pennsylvania, and the Lions are right in the thick of it with him.

Other names to know Central Catholic four-star defensive lineman Elliot Donald, the nephew of NFL star and Pitt product Aaron, Gateway safety Derrick Davis, Baldwin defensive tackle Dorien Ford and Philadelphia three-star Elijah Jeudy, among others.

Will the Lions land any five-stars?

The Lions’ Class of 2020 does not feature a five-star recruit, but, unless four-star linebacker Curtis Jacobs earns a late bump, it’s not going to have one.

Penn State can change that in the coming cycle, though, as it’s in a good position with a number of five stars, including two quarterbacks, a corner, and two offensive linemen.

Who are quarterbacks to watch?

The first is Caleb Williams, a five-star from Washington, D.C., Gonzaga, who has interest from every major program in the country. The Lions’ biggest competition appears to be Georgia and LSU.

After Williams, a passer from the south, five-star Brock Vandagriff, is back on the market after decommitting from Oklahoma.

Two players to watch further down the rankings board are Maryland four-star Chrisitan Veilleux and Texas four-star Garrett Nussmeier.

With six scholarship backs, are any more coming?

Few schools across the country have recruited the tailback position as well as Penn State over the last few years.

Barring any transfer portal entries, the room led by position coach Ja’Juan Seider is going to be full of young talent — four former four-stars and two five-stars, to be exact — and that could turn some would-be commits away.

Outlook at receiver, tight end

Starting with tight end, Penn State will lose Pat Freiermuth after next season, which will leave Zack Kuntz, Brenton Strange, and Theo Johnson on scholarship. It’s hard to see the Lions adding anyone besides Elksnis to join that group, especially in a class with limited space.

The receiver room is a bit crowded, too, as the Lions brought in a handful of pass catchers in the last class. One or two, at most, will be signed at this position, and in early January, we’re keeping an eye on Baltimore four-star Dont’e Thornton, who once was committed to Penn State but then backed away from his pledge. He since has visited campus again.

Beyond him, Maryland four-stars Kaden Prater and Jalil Farooq visited in December and continue to be players to watch closely.

The offensive line could lead the way

New offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is a talented recruiter, and he has a lot of high-end performers to meet in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Five-stars Nolan Rucci and Landon Tengwall lead the way, and Penn State sits in a terrific spot with both. They are 247Sports’ No. 4 and No. 5 tackles in their class, respectively.

After those two, two other promising tackles to know are West Virginia four-star Wyatt Milum and Virginia four-star Tristan Leigh.

Bruce is the lone guard commitment at the moment, but Penn State is targeting players to join him, including Kentucky four-star Jager Burton.

Trautwein has a quality recruiting background in the south, so expect to see some offers go out to linemen in Louisana and Texas, among other states.

Secondary situation

Penn State hosted a lot of top players in December. Tony Grimes was one of them.

The five-star from Virginia is the nation’s No. 1 corner and No. 10 overall player.

Grimes leads the way here, but Ohio four-star Devonta Smith seemed to express a strong amount of interest after the Lions offered in late 2019. We’ll also be keeping a close eye on West Virginia five-star corner Isaiah Johnson.

At safety, Gateway’s Davis is the top target. The Lions also have expressed interest in Philadelphia four-star Tysheem Johnson, among others.

Where might the Class of 2020 rank?

Penn State ranks in the top-15 nationally despite having no five-stars and more three-stars than four-stars. Some of that is because the program having 27 commits, but it also is another quality signing group.

Which coach will land the most commitments this year?

According to 247Sports, Lions defensive line coach Sean Spencer earned the program 10 commitments in the last cycle. Now, we know that many staffers and the head coach are involved in any pledge that Penn State gets, but that’s a pretty high number that will be tough to replicate.

Let’s go with Tyler Bowen this year, regardless of whether or not he’s the tight ends or offensive line coach next year. He is involved with New Jersey prospects and also all the offensive line and tight end recruits, which gives him a large number of potential commits to be connected to.

Who could the top-ranked commit be?

It will be either Williams, the five-star quarterback, and No. 15 player nationally, Grimes, the five-star corner who is No. 10, or Rucci, the five-star tackle from Warwick who is No. 18.

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