Ohio State football gets incredible news on 5-star RB after he bolts on Penn State

Ohio State is set to benefit greatly from Penn State's decision to fire James Franklin.

Kemon Spell, the top running back in the 2027 recruiting class, backed off of his pledge to the Nittany Lions when Franklin was dismissed. And now it looks like the blue-chip prospect from McKeesport, Pennsylvania is heavily interested in the Buckeyes.

Rivals/On3 national recruiting writer Steve Wiltfong says Ohio State is in a good spot with Spell as he restarts his recruitment.

""He has been keeping several schools warm; Ohio State is one of them. He attended the Buckeyes win over Texas. He's been building a really good relationship with Carlos Locklyn, Ohio State's running backs coach, and there's talk of him returning for the Penn State game later this fall.""

Rivals/On3's Steve Wiltfong

The fact that Spell has already been on campus once this season makes you think that his interest in the Buckeyes isn't just due to Franklin's dismissal. Clearly, he and Coach Lock stay in communication and imagine the irony if Spell decided to commit to Ohio State during the weekend that Penn State was in town. Talk about a chef's kiss. 

Who else is in the picture for Spell?

There's a greater likelihood that Spell will take his time with this next commitment, given how attached he was to Franklin and Penn State. He could wait to see if Franklin tries to take another job (Wisconsin? Auburn?) and give that school a chance to recruit him.

Wiltfong said there are several programs looking to get Spell's attention, but it seems like the Buckeyes are setting the pace. 

Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame...some of the schools Kemon Spell initially mentioned. Nebraska, USC and Michigan are some other schools that have been working to get into the equation for Kamon Spell," Wiltfong said.  "But I would list Ohio State as one of the early frontrunners here for the No. 1 back in the country."