Top 10 QB provides an overview of the dedication to Penn State football

James Franklin and Penn State football secured a significant chunk of their 2026 recruiting class Tuesday morning, earning a commitment from Mission Hills (Calif.) quarterback Troy Huhn. The top 10 arm says it is the Nittany Lions head coach, as well as new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who led him to establish his collegiate home across the country in Happy Valley.

In an interview with Rivals National Recruiting Director Adam GorneyHuhn explained that the entire Penn State football staff made him feel like they belonged to him.

“Coach Franklin has done a great job, and so has the entire staff,” Huhn told Gorney. “I felt very welcome when I was there. It felt like coming home to that office. I felt really supported; they all loved me, and I really appreciate the love they showed me. I felt like a priority when I was there, and that means a lot to me.”

Another deciding factor for the Mission Hills quarterback was the immediate connection he felt with the new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Although he has yet to experience a moment as a Nittany Lions playcaller, Huhn is already confident of Kotelnicki’s impact on the Penn State offense.

“He’s great,” Huhn said. “He’s the heart of the offense, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a great person, he has a lot of fun, but he’s also a serious person. That’s what you need out of it. He is absolutely at the heart of it and I can’t wait to play for him.”

Troy Huhn is a consensus four-star On3’s sixth-rated quarterback and No. 60 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class. He ranks No. 7 at this position and No. 81 nationally in the site’s Industry Rankings.

A crazy twist leads the West Coast quarterback to Penn State football

Mandatory credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not every day that the Nittany Lions land an elite weapon from the Gold Coast. And it turns out it wasn’t business as usual that led Troy Huhn to Happy Valley.

On June 2, Texas took an overwhelming lead due to Huhn’s efforts in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine. But when the Longhorns landed the second passer of the 2026 recruiting cycle, Dia Bellthe California quarterback had to re-examine his options.

From there, the West Coast signal caller began a tour of Big Ten country. Huhn made back-to-back visits to Ohio State and Penn State. He planned to visit Michigan, but the Wolverines had just landed the quarterback from Florida Brady Hart.

“It was all a bit crazy,” Huhn said. “When I was in Michigan, I remember going to their office and they said they had a commit, so I had to cancel that trip.”

As a result, it came down to a battle between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions, which James Franklin and Andy Kotelnicki ultimately won.

“I’m glad it happened because I found where I wanted to be and where I wanted to go,” he said. “But it was a bit crazy.”

Troy Huhn becomes James Franklin and Penn State’s second football commit in the 2026 recruiting class, joining four-star Harrisburg running back Messiah Mickens.

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