Even with James Franklin no longer in Happy Valley, there's no love lost between Penn State and Notre Dame. The two programs have faced off against each other for their fair share of prospects in the last few years. That's why the recent bizarre misfortune the Fighting Irish endured at the hands of 2028 quarterback Trey Tagliaferri has the Nittany Lions analysts and media counting their blessings that they didn't put all their eggs in the Bergen Catholic QB's basket.
Victory Bell Rings analyst Sydney Ciano is the latest to lay out the case for why Penn State is almost as big a winner in this situation as Oklahoma. The Sooners, for the moment, hold the new commitment of Tagliaferri who made that pledge just one day after telling Marcus Freeman and Co. that he was a free agent again.
The basis for the Nittany Lions' celebrations is that Penn State secured its own 2028 quarterback prospect just 24 hours before Tagliaferri decommitted from Notre Dame. "James Armstrong committed to the Nittany Lions on Thursday," Sydney wrote over the weekend. "Sharing a message soon after stating the 'best in PA stay in PA.' He's the No. 12 ranked quarterback in the class and No. 5 prospect from Pennsylvania, per Rivals Industry Ratings. A top ranked quarterback and elite talent from Penn State's backyard is exactly what it needed as it slowly pieces together its 2028 recruitment class.
Ciano made the case that when Tagliaferri decommitted, there might have been some who thought Campbell should have gone after the New Jersey native a bit harder. However, the Penn State head coach stuck to his guns, and that's worked out for the best for the Big Ten power since the 4-star quarterback jumped to OU.
Trey Tagliaferri’s Notre Dame football exit leaves Penn State feeling fortunate
There's also the tidbit that before committing to Notre Dame, Tagliaferri took an unofficial visit to Penn State. That visit was his third to Happy Valley and second since Campbell took over the helm.
"At quarterback, though, Campbell shouldn't turn his head away from Armstrong," Ciano added "And, luckily, he didn't. He has his guy and sticking by Armstrong was the right choice."
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has gone back to the drawing board thanks to the decommitment that even shocked those closest to the program. It also stung more than most because it felt as though his commitment was close enough that the Irish had stayed away from some other top QB prospects in the 2028 class.
Kingston Preyear for one, cut the Fighting Irish out of his favorites just a few days after Tagliaferri announced he was committed. Unfortunately, it was also just before the New Jersey signal caller decommitted. Having likely been told that they were taking Tagliaferri, it seems like the door to Preyear is now closed for good. Freeman and his staff will find out for sure on July 10.
In the meantime, Penn State fans, who haven't seen many wins over Notre Dame in the last few years, get to celebrate from afar a decision that doesn't directly effect them but still brings them relief all the same.
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