A new report claims that Big Ten rivals Penn State and Ohio State are among the programs that are strong candidates to land one of the best wide receiver recruits in the nation.
This past season was very productive for both the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions. As the pair of storied football programs posted their best win totals in this century after making deep runs into this year’s college football playoffs.
In the end, Ohio State reigned supreme over college football when they were able to defeat Notre Dame in the National Championship game. A Notre Dame team that was able to overcome Penn State in the semifinals of the tournament.
With the 2024 season in the rearview, both programs are now focused on bolstering their rosters for next season and beyond. And it seems that the two powerhouse schools are serious contenders for one of the top 2026 recruits in the nation.
Penn State and Ohio State’s stock on the rise with 4-star recruit Messiah Hampton?
“No official visits are set yet, but Miami, Penn State, Ohio State and Syracuse have a great chance at getting one,” Messiah Hampton told On3.com reporter Chad Simmons Wednesday. “Those schools make me feel special and I believe in their coaches, how they develop players and I have good relationships with coaches on each staff.”
The James Monroe High School star is viewed as the best receiver prospect in New York state and has been rising up various recruiting boards over the last few months. The six-foot receiver created a lot of buzz during 2024 and has garnered far more interest from schools around the country.
The Rochester native brings high-end speed, strong route-running, good hands and is ranked as a 4-star recruit on many sites. He would be a huge addition for either Penn State or Ohio State on their 2026 roster.
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