Four-Star RB Aiden Gibson Flips Commitment From Penn State to Rutgers

Over a decade later, Rutgers has gotten its revenge for Saquon Barkley.

On Tuesday afternoon, four-star running back Aiden Gibson flipped his commitment from Penn State to the Scarlet Knights, a surprise move from one of the Nittany Lions’ top commitments. Twelve years prior, Barkley — also a four-star running back — famously flipped from Rutgers to Penn State.

Gibson is ranked as the No. 4 South Carolina native, No. 10 running back and No. 158 overall recruit in the 2027 class, however he also plans to reclassify up to the 2026 cycle and enroll in August, marking an earlier start to his college career but with an extremely compressed preseason. The ability to join the Scarlet Knights a year earlier potentially played a role in his decision.

As a junior at Woodruff High School, Gibson toted the rock 205 times for 1,611 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, adding 24 receptions for 387 yards and four scores. He’s listed at 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, giving him the size to jump to the college level.

Gibson committed to the Nittany Lions in May and took an official visit to campus in June, but running backs coach Savon Huggins wasn’t able to hold onto his top commit. Following the departure, Penn State is down to one running back in its 2027 class and just 21 total members.