Star Recruit Daryus Dixson’s Pledge: A Game-Changer for James Franklin and Penn State’s Future

With the expansion of the Big Ten and the incorporation of four new teams from the West, James Franklin faces the imperative of venturing into that region to secure top-tier talent for Penn State. Monday saw Franklin and the Nittany Lions making significant strides in this direction, clinching a verbal commitment from 4-star cornerback Daryus Dixson, hailing from California and ranked as the No. 53 overall player in the 2025 class by Rivals.com.

This commitment underscores Franklin’s ongoing efforts to broaden Penn State’s recruiting reach to the western states. With Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC now part of the Big Ten, the acquisition of talent from diverse geographical areas becomes paramount for sustained competitiveness.

While Franklin’s mantra has traditionally been “Dominate The State,” prioritizing local talent, he has also effectively tapped into other regions. Notable successes include recruiting from Florida, yielding players like K.J. Hamler, Noah Cain, Kaytron Allen, and Amari Oruwariye, as well as delving into Texas, resulting in finds like Parker Washington and current wide receiver Omari Evans.

Securing commitments from players like Daryus Dixson signifies a strategic progression for Franklin and Penn State. To remain competitive, especially against the new West Coast entrants in the Big Ten, Franklin must continue expanding the team’s recruiting footprint beyond traditional territories.