Recruiting Rankings Expand
ESPN has broadened its 2027 college football recruiting rankings to include 30 programs, placing Indiana at No. 27 and Penn State at No. 29.
The Hoosiers earned notice after landing their first five‑star prospect, wide receiver Monshun Sales, who chose Indiana over traditional powerhouses such as Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU.
Sales, a 6‑foot‑5 athlete from Indianapolis Lawrence North, posted 37 catches for 794 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, drawing the attention of Curt Cignetti, who guided Indiana to its first national championship before the recruit’s commitment.
Indiana’s 2027 class now boasts 14 blue‑chip prospects, among them edge rusher Myles Smith, tackle Mason McDermott and receiver Branden Sharpe, all of whom are in‑state talents.
Penn State’s Coaching Turnover
Penn State entered the rankings at No. 29 after hiring Matt Campbell in December, following the dismissal of James Franklin in October.
Campbell inherited no 2027 commitments but quickly assembled a top class using a developmental, trench‑first philosophy, securing cornerback Kei'Shjuan Telfair from Euclid, Ohio, and defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery from Philadelphia.
The Nittany Lions’ class, while only 14 percent from Pennsylvania, reflects a national reach that includes recruits like tight end Cooper Terwilliger, tackle David Tarawallie and receiver Landon Blum.
Both programs faced setbacks: Penn State lost top Pennsylvania receiver Khalil Taylor to Nebraska, and Indiana’s class saw several targets flip, including running back Aiden Gibson to Rutgers and receiver Jamir Dean to Georgia.
Ranking services such as 247Sports and On3 place Indiana at No. 31 and No. 29 respectively, while Penn State sits at No. 20 and No. 24, underscoring the impact of five‑star status on overall perception.
The early signing period for the 2027 class opens on December 2, with the regular window beginning February 3, 2027, a timeline that will soon determine the final composition of these emerging recruiting classes.