UGH: Will Mencl Puts Auburn, Alex Golesh, Penn State, in BRUTAL Spot

This crossover episode of Locked On Auburn and Locked On Nittany Lions examines the fallout from Oregon securing the five-star quarterback Will Menzel, leaving both Auburn and Penn State in difficult recruiting positions. While Oregon appears to have a deep, flexible quarterback pipeline, Auburn faces a more precarious situation with no immediate quarterback in the 2027 class, relying on the transfer portal and official visits to fill the void. Penn State, though also missing out on Menzel, has multiple viable backup options like Will Wood and Peter Bork, allowing them to pivot without panic. The hosts contrast the stark difference in recruiting momentum—Matt Campbell’s Penn State has 12 commits in the class of 2027, while Alex Golesh’s Auburn has only three—raising questions about Auburn’s strategy, staff continuity, and long-term vision. Despite the disparity, both hosts express cautious optimism, emphasizing that year one is about foundation-building, and that success will ultimately be measured by wins, not just recruiting rankings. The episode also touches on broader themes like the volatility of five-star commitments, the importance of staff retention, and the evolving role of the transfer portal in rebuilding programs. Key takeaways include: 1) Missing a five-star quarterback doesn’t doom a program if you have depth and backup plans; 2) Staff continuity and relationships (like Terry Smith and DJ Durkin) play a crucial role in early recruiting success; 3) Official visits and the summer months will be critical in determining whether Auburn’s class gains momentum; 4) Recruiting rankings are less important than the quality and commitment of players; 5) Winning games, not just recruiting, will define the success of Golesh and Campbell in their first seasons.