It’s not often that a player from California would travel nearly 5,000 miles roundtrip to Penn State when he hasn’t yet earned a scholarship offer. However, for 2026 tight end Colby Simpson, that’s a big reason why he made the trip.

Back in June, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Oaks Christian prospect made the same trip to camp with Penn State’s staff. But it’s not just the school’s pedigree at producing tight ends that led him to make that trip. Sure, that’s part of it, but Penn State also happens to be the same school his mother, Angie, was an All-American volleyball player under former head coach Russ Rose.

Simpson said that experience, combined with family ties, made him only want an offer from the school that much more.

“The camp last summer was a great opportunity for me to get a sense of the pace and demands of the program, and I felt right at home being challenged and coached up,” Simpson said.

He went on to add, “When I was at their camp this summer, Coach [James] Franklin said he wanted to know that I was serious about Penn State. That’s when I started planning the trip back for the Illinois game because I knew I had a bye weekend. So, now Penn State has to know I’m serious.”

With it also being homecoming weekend, there was no shortage of activities for Simpson to see up close. Between the parade on Friday night and the atmosphere around town all weekend, the Westlake Village resident got the complete Penn State experience.

That included a stop out at Rec Hall to spend time with his mom’s former coach.

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“[On Saturday] we walked up to Rec Hall to watch the women’s volleyball practice. Russ Rose hung out with us for a bit, and my guy [2026 wide receiver] Madden Williams from SoCal met up with us to hang out and get some time touring with head volleyball coach Katie Cawley,” Simpson said. “We bumped into head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson, too, and then headed over to the Nittany Lion shrine for photos.”

Of course, this weekend was mainly about football for Simpson. He spoke highly of the staff members that he was able to spend time.

“Walking up to the stadium via the recruit entrance was so special,” Simpson said. “I spent solid one-on-one time meeting with Coach Ty Howle, David Rocco, Rashad Elby and academic support. Going through the player tunnel to the field was really cool. I was so pumped and felt welcomed by the coaches, players, staff, students and fans. I loved getting out on the field with Coach Franklin, chatting with him and seeing everything that goes into a Penn State football pre-game firsthand.

Penn State actually had four prospects from California on campus last weekend. In addition to Simpson and Williams, four-star 2027 offensive lineman Lucas Rhoa made the trip. Future Nittany Lion quarterback Troy Huhn was also there.

“Hanging with the other football commits and recruits was great. It was the first time I had met 2026 QB commit Troy Huhn. He lives out my way in San Marcos, so hopefully, we can get together in the near future to throw.”

After the game, Simpson said he was invited into Penn State’s locker room for the postgame celebration.

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“Meeting Tyler Warren in the locker room after watching him ball out was the memory that tops my list,” he said. “The whole tight end room was totally welcoming and cool. I loved the victory vibe in the locker room and the postgame energy from Coach Franklin. There were so many cool opportunities to meet the best of the best in college football with the 1994 team in town, plus so many other amazing athletes from other PSU sports teams, coaches and football recruits.

So far, Simpson has earned offers from a handful of West Coast schools, including Arizona State, California, Colorado State, Oregon State and Washington State. He’s also earned a Big Ten offer from Minnesota.

Like so many 2026 prospects, his progression this fall and into next spring will play a big role in earning that offer.

“The coaches discussed me potentially taking an official visit, which I feel is a great sign when it comes to their interest in me and where I stand on their 2026 board. Also, Coach Franklin told me that Coach Howle will come see me at school, and I know Coach Howle would like to get out to SoCal. Coach Elby and I are in touch regularly, and he has assured me that I’m on track.”

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