.jpg "Nazareth’s Peyton Falzone Flips to Auburn, Decommits from Penn State in Stunning Recruiting Shakeup")
Nazareth’s Peyton Falzone Flips to Auburn, Decommits from Penn State in Stunning Recruiting Shakeup
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | June 27, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
Nazareth Area’s Peyton Falzone, one of Pennsylvania’s most coveted recruits in the Class of 2026, has flipped his verbal commitment from Penn State to Auburn, announcing his decision Thursday. The reversal comes less than a month after he took part in Penn State’s Whiteout Camp and just three weeks after the Tigers extended their offer on June 2.
Falzone—a 6-foot-5, 200-pound four-star prospect—is ranked No. 208 nationally and No. 5 in Pennsylvania according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He had become a cornerstone of Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class, but now joins Auburn as their first quarterback commit in the cycle, giving the Tigers a major win in their national recruiting efforts.
The flip caps a winding recruitment that began with early interest from schools like Virginia Tech, Iowa, Utah, and Syracuse. Falzone initially committed to Virginia Tech in 2024 but reopened his recruitment later that year. His trajectory as a quarterback prospect began to accelerate after he started training with nationally known QB coach Brad Maendler—who previously worked with Penn State quarterbacks Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer.
This spring, Penn State offered Falzone as a quarterback, impressed with his rapid growth, field presence, and dual-threat ability. He accepted soon after, visiting officially from May 30 to June 1 and returning again to compete at the Nittany Lions’ camp on June 22.
Despite his involvement in multiple Penn State camps and the program’s clear commitment to his development, Auburn’s late push and opportunity to compete in the SEC ultimately swayed the Nazareth signal-caller.
As a junior in 2024, Falzone posted one of the most dynamic seasons in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. He threw for 2,136 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions while rushing for 743 yards and eight scores—averaging over 10 yards per carry. He earned EPC Offensive MVP and all-state honors, solidifying himself as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
For Penn State, the decommitment is a hit to a class that was ranked in the national top 10. It also leaves California quarterback Troy Huhn as the only signal-caller currently committed for 2026.
Falzone, meanwhile, enters his senior season at Nazareth as one of the most watched players in the state. With his future now tied to Auburn, he brings SEC attention to every snap he takes this fall in the Lehigh Valley.
