Major outlet ranks Penn State football at bottom of Big Ten facilities

If you have followed Penn State football you’ll understand the importance of the facilities. While things have changed in the NIL era, the Nittany Lions have continued to push for the state-of-the-art weight room, players lounge, locker room, etc. It’s a massive recruiting advantage and it can be the difference maker from a recruit’s decision. But Brad Crawford of 247Sports has released a ranking of facilities around the country and Penn State was towards the bottom of the Big Ten.

Major outlet ranks Penn State football at bottom of Big Ten facilities

On the surface, a college football team’s facilities are more of an aesthetic than anything else. Many colleges in 2024 have the best of the best in terms of resources. That’s why it’s important to always grow as the other top schools improve their facilities. Once a team falls behind it will take time for them to catch up.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports has ranked the top 30 facilities, where he has the Penn State football team at 30th overall.

“Penn State started on Phase I of its $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium in January with an estimated completion of 2027. This is the first time in several years the Nittany Lions have cracked out facilities rankings, with the expansion of five additional programs added to our usual top 25. Penn State’s locker room and football facility refresh opened ahead of the 2016 season inside the Lasch Building. And there’s another $48.3 million facelift coming soon.”

He ranked Penn State 9th among Big Ten schools such as USC, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Northwestern, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Oregon.

Big Ten newcomers rank 1st in facilities

While it comes as little surprise there is one school that Crawford ranks above all, the Oregon Ducks. Crawford explained why one of the newest members of the Big Ten is the team to beat when it comes to facilities.

“The Ducks were ahead of their time. And knowing Phil Knight’s influence on the program and its infrastructure, change is coming. There are plans for a new indoor facility in the coming years along with two additional practice fields, along with the expansion of their current facility. Oregon’s facility flipped the script in architectural circles a decade ago and still carry weight with recruits today. Oregon’s facilities are routinely mentioned by prospective student-athletes as top-level.”