James Franklin's Greatest Recruiting Failure Came Back to Bite Him in Loss to Ohio State

Justin Fields was once Penn State's dream QB of the future. In just two years since his de-commitment from the fine folks in Happy Valley, however, his Saturday performance for Ohio State in an 11-point victory over the Nittany Lions in Columbus has become James Franklin's nightmare.

The former 5-star quarterback was the crown jewel of a Penn State recruiting class which contained the likes of Micah Parsons and Justin Shorter. His connection with then-OC Joe Moorhead, who would leave to become the head coach at Mississippi State, cannot be understated. Fields reopened his recruitment in a decision he deemed the toughest of his life to that point. In swooped Kirby Smart and Georgia, and Fields opted to stay home come Signing Day, leaving Penn State in the dust.

Fields choosing UGA only to transfer to Penn State's rival in Columbus after one year changed the course of Big Ten history. Now, he has the chance to take the Buckeyes back to the College Football Playoff, perhaps as the favorite. On Saturday, he gave Penn State a glimpse of what they're missing -- a Heisman-level quarterback with the ability to break a game open on just one play.

Franklin remains an ace recruiter and still puts together some of the best classes in the Big Ten year in and year out. However, he's lacking a QB of Fields' ability in part because... he had him but couldn't hold on. It's as simple as that.

Sean Clifford's name is not to be tainted in this article. Yet, Fields remains the difference between two top-10 programs, one on the rise to a potentially historic season, and another settling for false hope.