Penn State Recruits React to NCAA's Repeal of Bowl Ban and Scholarship Sanctions

Penn State football was supposed to be buried for at least the better part of a decade. Unprecedented monetary penalties, severe scholarship sanctions and a four-year bowl ban handed down in 2012 reverberated like a death knell across the collegiate athletic landscape.

Instead, Penn State is in position to land a top-10 recruiting class and could stretch its first campaign under head coach James Franklin beyond New Year's Day. The latter became a possibility Monday when the NCAA announced a stunning reversal, immediately lifting postseason restrictions and restoring a stockpile of previously stripped scholarships.

"Big day for Happy Valley," 4-star wide receiver commit Juwan Johnson said.

The New Jersey native pledged to the program this spring, when the Nittany Lions briefly replaced Alabama atop national 2015 recruiting class rankings. The group, currently rated seventh in 247Sports' composite class rankings, appeared to be nearly tapped out due to a lowered allotment of scholarship spots. 

That's no longer the case. Penn State, 2-0 with victories over Akron and UCF, suddenly has a longer leash in this cycle and can explore opportunities that seemed out of reach until Monday.

"This impacts the recruiting process a lot," Johnson said. "No more worrying about sanctions."

The burden created by Jerry Sandusky's crimes and ensuing improprieties by university administrative officials will never be fully removed, but that weight has at least been lessened. The record books still show Joe Paterno with 111 fewer wins than the day his tenure came to an end, and heinous actions that took place within football facilities can't be forgotten.

It's a sizable and damning chapter in Nittany Lions history, but that's all it is now—history.

"I think that this is great for everyone involved with PSU," linebacker commit Ryan Buchholz told Nick Polak of SB Nation. "I know they've been working on this for a little and it surprised me it got lifted this early. But I can't wait for later this season and seeing PSU compete for the Big Ten Championship."

Steven Gonzalez, a 4-star offensive lineman pledge, expressed similar excitement.

"I'm stoked about it," Gonzalez told Braulio Perez of NJ.com. "We are back into bowls and now we get to recruit heavier talent without worries."

It quickly became clear the students of Happy Valley were feeling significantly less worrisome in the aftermath of Monday's announcement. A large crowd gathered on campus to celebrate, creating a rally that lasted deep into the evening.

Defensive tackle commit Adam McLean, considered one of the top Mid-Atlantic linemen, appreciated the reaction and atmosphere in Happy Valley:

Given the enthusiasm generated by Franklin and a fresh start for on-field matters, momentum certainly appears to be pushing Penn State in a positive direction.

"It's about the vibe at Penn State," 4-star wide receiver commit Irvin Charles said. "I know they're going to do big things. Everyone wants to be a part of the next big thing."

Now with more scholarships available, the team has an opportunity to capitalize on those good vibes during the final five-month stretch toward national signing day. Expanded possibilities have created a newfound sense of optimism in and around the program.

"They're definitely jacked up right now," Gonzalez told NJ.com. "Especially coach (James) Franklin because he's going to be a recruiting mastermind at the rate he's going."

Even before sanctions were withdrawn, prospects showed serious intrigue about the new regime.

"There's a lot of things to like about Penn State," 4-star Philadelphia cornerback John Reid said in April, four months before he committed to the program. "They're coming off difficult stuff that happened with the program, and Coach Franklin is rebuilding it. It's a great situation."

If that was the outlook of top recruiting targets earlier, imagine how uncommitted prospects could begin to view this team. Even players committed elsewhere could reconsider their decision with additional slots up for grabs in Franklin's 2015 class.

"We have a good class now, but to be able to add more guys in the future is even more exciting for us," defensive back commit Myles Hartsfield told NJ.com. "We're going to be able to bring in more great players."

Quotes obtained firsthand by B/R national recruiting columnist Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.