The Penn State Nittany Lions generated a (much) needed win in overtime on Saturday, but James Franklin and his staff did not have time to enjoy it. On Monday, four-star 2017 commit Derrek Pitts elected to re-open his recruitment, leaving the Nittany Lions in a vulnerable position when it comes to the incoming class.
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Pitts is a four-star recruit according to Rivals, and he also is listed as the top recruit in the 2017 class from the state of West Virginia. At this point, it appears that the Mountaineers, who operate as the class program in his home state, could be in the lead for his services, though it should be noted that Pitts could, in theory, return to Penn State if Franklin and his staff are able to lure him back.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back from Charleston had been committed to Penn State since late July, and this announcement comes as something of a surprise. On the other hand, it hasn't been a lights-out season for the Nittany Lions on the field, including a recent drubbing at the hands of Michigan, and Franklin has been roundly criticized for on-field tactics in recent months.
Penn State is in a state of flux, and losing a four-star commitment in October is never a good thing, especially when the head coach is already on the theoretical "hot seat".
