There was a time not too long ago when Penn State football appeared to be in complete shambles. Now, the Nittany Lions own the top recruiting class for 2018 according to 24/7 Sports.
When James Franklin took over in 2014, many believed the Nittany Lions would instantly return to the top of the college football world. It didn't work out exactly like that. Two consecutive 7-6 seasons left PSU fans shaking their heads.
Then the 2016 campaign shocked the FBS world and silenced the critics. Going into the season, Franklin's job appeared to be on the line, but his team finally delivered. Penn State won the Big Ten and were a few plays away from a bid to the College Football Playoff.
RELATED: Top 25 2017 Recruiting Class Rankings
Now, for the first time in a long time, Penn State is an attractive destination for the top high school football recruits in the nation.
There's still a long way to go before National Signing Day 2018, but the fact that Franklin and his coaching staff have been able to create this level of early hype is impressive. Let's talk about who they are, and why they're so highly regarded. 
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A glance at the class
Penn State has 11 commitments so far, with two 5-star talents and six 4-star talents. If Franklin can keep these players in the fold while adding more, Penn State will be in great shape.
5-Star DE Micah Parsons
Right now, Parsons is listed as the No. 4 overall prospect in the country and No. 1 player from the state of Pennsylvania. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he doesn't have overwhelming size, but he uses his lean frame and athleticism to create matchup nightmares for opposing offensive linemen.
5-Star RB Ricky Slade
This kid is an electric running back from Virginia. Slade has incredible vision for a high school player. Slade makes such decisive cuts and it's a joy to watch. He possesses he ability to smoke defenders in the open field, but is also big enough to break tackles. Check out Slade's highlight reel.
4-star Dual-Threat QB Justin Fields
Fields looks like he has the potential to be the next electric quarterback in college football. We are seeing more teams chase the dual-threat passers, and if Penn State can keep his commitment, Franklin will have a nice weapon on his hands.
Obviously there will be plenty of movement between now and when Penn State makes its 2018 class official, but things are trending in the right direction.
