Running Back U? Penn State signs 2 4-star backs

Penn State could have one of the most stacked running back rooms in the nation next year.

“We’re building a reputation,” coach James Franklin said on signing day Wednesday, which has become the biggest day for college football recruiting.

“It could be in a couple of years they’re talking about us as RBU.”

As in Running Back University.

Penn State received signatures from each of their 27 recruits in the Class of 2020 on Wednesday, the start of the early signing period and the first day high school recruits can make their commitments binding.

The Nittany Lions expect to complete another top-15 class by national standards when the cycle is complete in early February. They could add a couple of more recruits between now and then, depending on scholarship numbers.

Penn State is still waiting word on whether some current players, such as receiver KJ Hamler and defensive end Shaka Toney, will leave early for the NFL or return for another college season.

But, for now, this class expects to continue propelling the Lions toward that elusive playoff spot, according to national experts. It is heavy on foundation offensive and defensive linemen (11) and a variety of receivers and tight ends (seven).

It also includes two more running backs, two of the top-rated, 4-star runners from talent-rich Florida.

Of course, Penn State rotated between four tailbacks this past season, ending with an emphasis on 10-touchdown Journey Brown.

If they all return, the scholarship room will grow to six members with the recent addition of Caziah Holmes and Keyvone Lee, complementary tailbacks in stature and potential usage.

Holmes, from Cocoa, Fla., is a smallish burner with electric moves and intriguing possibilities as a receiver and returner. He is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.

Lee, from Clearwater, Fla., already is a heavy-duty pickup truck runner with plenty of speed. One national recruiting analyst said he would make a dynamic college linebacker, too. He’s 6-foot and 210 pounds.

Certainly, someone from this Penn State running back room could opt to transfer before summer camp, though junior-to-be Ricky Slade already has announced his intention to return. That leaves leading rusher Brown, Noah Cain and Devyn Ford.

Then again, Franklin noted intense competition also can be a lure to a place like Penn State. He added the recent NFL success of former Lion running backs Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders has helped his program.

“They’re not going somewhere looking for an easy path. They want to come in and compete,” Franklin said in response to a question about Holmes and Lee. “There’s also the aspect of the wear and tear on the position.”

It’s proved to be advantageous how Sanders is enjoying supreme success as a Philadelphia Eagles rookie after serving as Penn State’s featured runner for just one season.

Penn State recruits

Recruits who signed Wednesday with Penn State:

Name, Previous school, Pos., Ht/Wt, Stars*

• Norval Black, Lackawanna College, WR, 6-1/170, 3 stars

• Micah Bowens, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.), QB, 5-11/190, 3 stars

• Cole Brevard, Carmel HS (Ind.), DT, 6-3/305, 4 stars

• Ji’Ayir Brown, Lackawanna College, S, 5-11/205, 3 stars

• Jimmy Christ, Dominion HS (Va.), OL, 6-7/300, 4 stars

• Nick Dawkins, Parkland HS, OL, 6-4/305, 3 stars

• Jaden Dottin, Suffield Academy (Conn.), WR, 6-2/170, 3 stars

• Tyler Elsdon, North Schuylkill HS, LB, 6-2/230, 3 stars

• Olu Fashanu, Gonzaga College HS (Md.), OL, 6-6/315, 4 stars

• Zuriah Fisher, Aliquippa, LB, 6-3/255, 3 stars

• Caziah Holmes, Cocoa HS (Fla.), RB, 5-11/190, 4 stars

• Golden Israel-Achumba, DeMatha Catholic HS (Md.), OL, 6-4/325, 4 stars

• Coziah Izzard, DeMatha Catholic HS (Md.), DE, 6-3/285, 4 stars

• Curtis Jacobs, McDonogh School (Md.), LB, 6-1/220, 4 stars

• Enzo Jennings, Oak Park HS (Mich.), S, 6-1/185, 4 stars

• Joseph Johnson III, Life Christian Academy (Va.), CB, 6-2/170, 3 stars

• Theo Johnson, Holy Names Catholic HS (Ontario), TE, 6-6/245, 4 stars

• KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Maury HS (Va.), WR, 6-1/180, 4 stars

• Keyvone Lee, American Collegiate Academy (Fla.), RB, 6-0/220, 4 stars

• Malick Meiga, Cegep du Viux (Quebec), WR, 6-4/195, 3 stars

• Bryce Mostella, East Kentwood HS (Mich.), DE, 6-6/240, 3 stars

• Fatorma Mulbah, Susquehanna Township HS, DT, 6-3/275, 3 stars

• Brandon Taylor, Lima Senior HS (Ohio), DE, 6-2/275, 3 stars

• Ibrahim Traore, Frederick Douglass Academy VII (N.Y.), OL, 6-5/300, 3 stars

• Amin Vanover, St. Joseph’s Regional HS (N.J.), DE, 6-4/270, 4 stars

• Tyler Warren, Atlee HS (Va.), TE, 6-6/235, 3 stars

• Parker Washington, William B. Travis HS (Texas), WR, 5-10/200, 4 stars

*According to Rivals.com