In-state specialist flips to Penn State football over week 1 opponent

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation
By Morgan Chapman | Last updated 5/6/24

Special teams are one of the most underappreciated elements in football. At the same time, a costly mistake can put the weight of an entire game on the player’s shoulders. The Penn State football team has been in great hands over the last few seasons at kicker, punter, and long snapper. As the Nittany Lions build toward the future with new special teams coordinator Justin Lustig, they’ve added Matthew Parker to the 2025 recruiting class as a preferred walk-on specialist from Pennsylvania. Parker recently decommitted from West Virginia, the opponent of Penn State for week 1 of the 2024 season.

In-State specialist flips to Penn State football over week 1 opponent

Matthew Parker is a 6-foot kicker from York, Pennsylvania. He currently holds no ranking from any major recruiting site, but that is subject to change over the next several months. Parker made his commitment to the Penn State football team on May 2, less than a month after his original commitment to West Virginia. He will join the Nittany Lions as a preferred walk-on in the 2025 recruiting class.

Thank you @PennStateFball Let’s get to work!! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/d2QsbVUGOl

— Matthew Parker (@Matthew_Parker2) May 2, 2024

The unofficial visit on April 13 to Happy Valley during the Blue-White Game seemed to swing momentum. Parker made his original commitment to the Mountaineers on April 5 where he accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at West Virginia. Then, on April 29 he announced that he would be decommitting from West Virginia. This continues to show the importance of building relationships through visits to Penn State.

After a conversation with my family I am decommiting from West Virginia. Thank you to WVU for all you have done for me. @WVUfootball

— Matthew Parker (@Matthew_Parker2) April 29, 2024

Justin Lustig paying dividends early

The Nittany Lions have dealt with the coaching carousel this offseason. Replacing all three coordinators in one offseason is almost unheard of. Penn State went into the 2023 season with OC Mike Yurcich, DC Manny Diaz, and STC Stacy Collins. Now, heading into the 2024 season the Nittany Lions will have OC Andy Kotelnicki, DC Tom Allen, and STC Justin Lustig.

Lustig was hired on January 17th after Collins decided to return to Boise State. Lustig returns to Pennsylvania where he played defensive back at Bucknell before starting his coaching career. With 22 years of experience under his belt, his recruiting muscle is starting to flex with the addition of Parker.

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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