Penn State coach James Franklin arrives in helicopter to visit Pennsylvania sophomore star

Franklin took a helicopter on a recruiting trip Friday, as he visited the school of Nittany Lions commit Messiah Mickens

James Franklin arrived in style when visiting Trinity (Pennsylvania) high school for one of his latest recruiting trips. 

The Penn State football head coach made a stop on Friday at Trinity, the home of Nittany Lions commit Messiah Mickens, but he didn't pull up in a car. Franklin arrived to the school in a helicopter.

Mickens is the top sophomore in Pennsylvania, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder is the No. 3 athlete and No. 28 overall recruit in the country for the class of 2026.

While he is listed as an athlete by recruiting services, he stars at running back for the Shamrocks. Through the first two games of his sophomore campaign, Mickens has carried the ball 29 times for 419 yards and six touchdowns.

Franklin's visit came hours before Trinity (2-0) took on Wyomissing in its third game of the 2023 season. 

Penn State (1-0) is scheduled to host Delaware on Saturday in its second game of the season. The Nittany Lions hosted and defeated West Virginia, 38-15, in last week's season opener.

(Feature photo by Dan Rainville/USA TODAY NETWORK)