After strong recruiting cycle, what are Penn State's needs now?

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State has a whole lot of momentum right now with a 10-2 season, Rose Bowl berth and strong recruiting class, but there's always work to be done to get better for the short and long term.

The Nittany Lions had 22 of their 23 commits send in letters of intent by Wednesday afternoon on the first day of the early signing period. The lone holdout, safety Conrad Hussey from Florida, is expected to sign later this evening.

Penn State has the No. 13 class in the country, according to 247Sports, and this class is impressive in a lot of ways.

"I'm very, very pleased with the class," James Franklin said during his signing day press conference in University Park, Pa.

There are still needs that must be addressed in the late signing period or the transfer portal, and Franklin was asked to identify those.

"On the offensive side of the ball, we'd like to get another offensive lineman if we could, specifically an offensive tackle or a guy that's like the guys that we signed in this class that have position flexibility," Franklin said.

"And then wide receiver, that's a position where I could see us sign a couple more guys at that position just to make sure that we have the competition at that position, on a similar scale that we do at tight end and running back," the coach added.

Franklin then took a candid moment and said this:

"So, offensive tackles that are still out there, wide receivers that are still out there, we'll be in pursuit."

At this point, the receiver situation is very pressing, as I pointed out here last week. The Lions do not have a No. 1 receiver at this stage for next year, and perhaps not even a legit No. 2 guy.

What about on defense?

"We'd like to get a defensive tackle, possibly another defensive end just from a numbers perspective," Franklin said. "And then again, depending on how this thing plays out in the back end and defensive back, we could be in the need for for one or two more defensive backs."

"Those would be probably needs that I would say that are still out there that we'd like to try to address either through the second signing day with high school prospects or some transfer portal prospects," Franklin added.

DRAFT PICK STYLE

Penn State did its usual introductions of recruits using former players, announcing the commits as the next pick in the 2023 signing day draft.

Paul Posluszny, Pat Freiermuth, Tamba Hali, Marcus Allen and Yetur Gross-Matos were among the former Penn State stars making announcements. The coolest one, though was Michal Menet, who got to introduce his brother, tight end Joey Schlaffer.

There was also this cool one involving Sean Clifford, Drew Allar and Beau Pribula welcoming new quarterback Jaxon Smolik.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT?

Franklin spoke frequently over the past year that there would be a number of guys from the last recruiting class who could make a big impact right away. We obviously saw that with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, linebacker Abdul Carter and also quarterback Drew Allar in a backup role.

"We feel the same way about about this class," Franklin said. "And the fact that we have 11 guys coming in early. I think that helps. Last year, I think our number was similar in terms of early enrollees. I don't think that's the end all, be all, but it helps."

This won't come as a surprise, but the two players who may be best position to contribute in a big way as freshmen are offensive linemen J'ven Williams and Alex Birchmeier, the top two highest-rated members of the class.

Franklin said both could play all five positions on the line if needed. He also noted he'd like to start both of them out at tackle to see if they can do it, since that's the most difficult position to learn.

FUN BUT TEDIOUS PROCESS

Lots of kids and their families love the recruiting process, because of all the attention. But it sure can be a whole lot of work as time goes on, to the point where the recruits and their families are very glad when it's all done.

"For most of these recruits and their parents, although the recruiting process is fun and exciting, by the end of it, they are as done with it as we are," Franklin said.

"They just want it to be over. It's nice to have people at your house and have dinner once or twice. But when people are trying to come in every week and make a sale, it can be pressure. ... Most of them and their families are going through it for the very first time, and it can be an overwhelming experience."

Much more to come from signing day in the coming days. In case you missed it, here's the overview of Penn State's recruiting class.