Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Franklin's Firing Opens Doors for Miami's Recruiting Chase

10/14/2025

46 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Franklin Fired, Miami Gains

James Franklin's firing as Penn State head coach enables Miami to pursue decommitted players, including five-star Kemon Spell.
Spell, previously committed to Penn State, weighs Notre Dame and Ohio State as he considers new options.
Layton von Brandt and Khalil Taylor have also decommitted, weakening Penn State's 2026 class.
Meanwhile, UCLA, under interim coach Tim Skipper, has won consecutive games and improved its 2027–2028 recruiting outlook.

Summary

Recruiting Strategies Emerge

The Mountain West Recruiting Roundup shows varied strategies in the 2025 season.
Some teams host official visits, while others emphasize game-day visits.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Evaluation Period lets coaches scout recruits at games and schools.
Week 7 of 2025 features major game-day visits and key recruits to watch.
Notre Dame impressed recruits during their victory over NC State, and Alabama's 2026 class remains active.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, the NCAA revised recruiting rules, enhancing coaches' access to recruits and intensifying competition among programs like Notre Dame and Alabama. This shift, culminating in the introduction of an early signing period in 2017, has significantly influenced recruitment strategies and team dynamics, as evidenced by recent decommitments from top prospects like Kemon Spell from Penn State.

1 of 3

Franklin Fired, Miami Gains

James Franklin's firing as Penn State head coach enables Miami to pursue decommitted players, including five-star Kemon Spell.
Spell, previously committed to Penn State, weighs Notre Dame and Ohio State as he considers new options.
Layton von Brandt and Khalil Taylor have also decommitted, weakening Penn State's 2026 class.
Meanwhile, UCLA, under interim coach Tim Skipper, has won consecutive games and improved its 2027–2028 recruiting outlook.

1 / 3