Head coach Bill O'Brien added a late commit to Penn State' 2012 recruiting class on Thursday in Brennan Franklin, a 6-foot-2 linebacker from Peoria, Ariz. Franklin, who signed a tender offer, becomes the first player to commit to the Nittany Lions program in the wake of NCAA sanctions announced earlier this week.
He will be eligible to play this season but will likely redshirt and leaves for State College on Friday. Beforehand, he was set to play this season at Eastern Arizona College after receiving no offers from either in-state schools, Arizona or Arizona State, or any school from a BCS conference.
"It's a dream for every linebacker to play there," Franklin told the Arizona Republic.
"I know there's a mess out there, but it's one of the best schools to go to. If I went to New Mexico or New Mexico State or Indiana, they wouldn't be he going to a bowl game anyway. I get to play in stadium with 107,000 people. I get a great degree at the end of the day."
Penn State is currently facing a four-year postseason amid other penalties. Franklin, though, didn't appear overly concerned.
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