Let’s take a look at what Penn State has going for it at the running back position this spring.
No position group is in a better position at Penn State currently than the running back position. The Nittany Lions arguably have the best running back in college football and his backup is not too far behind him either.
[autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] and [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] came onto the State College campus last year with the hope they could reset the offense and take pressure off of [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag]. Not only did they achieve that but they far surpassed expectations in the process. They would end their miraculous freshman season with a Rose Bowl win and now they have to top that for an encore.
Take a look at the two-headed monster at leads the Penn State running back group.
Now that a new coach is in place, here’s a quick look at the Penn State defensive line situation this spring
It’s an exciting time for the defensive line unit at Penn State. Coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] recently announced that [autotag]Deion Barnes[/autotag] would be the new defensive line coach for the upcoming season.
Barnes, who played defensive line at Penn State from 2012-2014, is taking over the role after the departure of [autotag]John Scott Jr.[/autotag]
It seems like a natural progression for Barnes who served as a graduate assistant and was involved in the development of multiple players going to the NFL.
While the news of this hire is certainly exciting, the other electrifying thing surrounding the defensive line is they might be the best unit of Penn State football this season.
[autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] are the headliners of the line, but there are other players that could have a big year as well.
Here are names to watch as spring practices get underway.
Chop Robinson
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 6’3″ 240 lbs.
Year: Junior
Expected Role: Starting Defensive End
Chop Robinson was an absolute star for Penn State in 2022-23. After transferring in from Maryland, he was a game wrecker for the Nittany Lions. He recorded 26 total tackles, 10 of them for loss, and had 5.5 sacks.
His PFF grade of 90.6 ranked him sixth out of 862 edge rushers last season. Robinson’s pass rush grade had him fourth in the country. It’s crazy to think that he can improve his run defense to become an even better player. Robinson will be a household name if continues to produce like he did last year.
Coziah Izzard
AP Photo/Barry Reeger
Measurables: 6’3″ 292 lbs.
Year: Redshirt Junior
Expected Role: Starting Defensive Tackle
This is the starting position on the defensive line that should be watched. [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag] is the projected starter, but he’ll be battling to secure that title. Last season he was expected to start alongside [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], but missed the first four games of the season due to the decision of coach Franklin.
After a bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 21 tackles and two sacks, he recorded 10 tackles and two sacks in nine games last season. Izzard has tons of talent and should be able to produce this year whether he’s a starter or not.
There are some key spots to fill in the Penn State secondary this spring.
Penn State is normally known as “Linebacker U,” but recently their secondary players have been making waves at the NFL level.
In recent years, [autotag]Adrian Amos[/autotag], [autotag]Nick Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] have all been featured in prominent roles at the next level. Now, [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] is expected to be the highest Penn State secondary player ever taken in the NFL Draft and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] is climbing up draft boards.
The current 2023 roster has a bunch of playmakers as well. This will be an experienced group overall and should have a major impact on the success of Penn State’s defense this season.
The headliner in the group is cornerback [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag]. He was a bit overshadowed by Porter Jr. last season, but it’s now his time to shine. Others in the secondary should become a household name this season as well.
Here are some names to watch as spring practices start.
Kalen King
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 5’11” / 185 lbs.
Year: Junior
Expected Role: Starting cornerback
Kalen King is a flat out star. While overshadowed by the bigger name of Joey Porter Jr., he put together an elite season last year. His PFF grade of 89.0 was 8th best out of 916 corners.
He is expected to be one of the most impactful players on the defense and might be the best player in the program. He showed how good he was in a primary role during the Rose Bowl. If King continues to play like he did last season, Penn State is in good hands at starting cornerback.
Johnny Dixon
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 6’0″ 190 lbs.
Year: Redshirt Senior
Expected Role: Starting cornerback
[autotag]Johnny Dixon[/autotag] will have some big shoes to fill this season. The former South Carolina transfer is expected to win the starting role during the spring and summer to play opposite of King.
In the two season he’s been at Penn State, Dixon improved his PFF grade by 10 points. He ranked 260th out of 916 corners in 2022-23, recording 23 total tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. There is potential that this could be a position battle to watch in the spring and summer as James Franklin brought in a transfer cornerback from North Carolina.
Who will be the wide receivers and tight ends to watch in Penn State spring football practices this year?
As Penn State gets ready to embark on the 2023 season, the offense will be expected to be the big storyline this fall. With a new starting quarterback taking the spotlight, it should not go without mentioning that the wide receiver position will be instrumental to Penn State’s success this season. And with its top two wide receivers and leading tight end from last season departing the program for the NFL, there is more to figure out on offense than whether or not its new quarterback is ready to take flight.
Penn State loses Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver and Brenton Strange at tight end. Together, that accounts for 1,550 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to replace in the passing offense from a year ago. Fortunately, Penn State has some players ready to step up and make up for the lost production, including some young players that will continue to develop this spring.
Here is a look at what Penn State has to offer at wide receiver and tight end this spring when spring football practices open on March 14.
Keandre Lambert-Smith
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Measurables: 6’1″, 184 lb
Year: Junior
Expected role: Starting wide receiver
KeAndre Lambert-Smith is Penn State’s top returning wide receiver from a season ago. Following the departures of Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, Lambert-Smith has the most Penn State experience at the position, and he should remain a fixture in the offense for new starting quarterback Drew Allar to rely on stretching the field.
[autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag]
Harrison Wallace III
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 6’1″, 196 lb
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Expected role: Possible starting wide receiver, solid contributor
Competing for a possible starting job could be Harrison Wallace III, who had 19 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown last season as a reserve option. Wallace finished sixth on the team in receiving yards in 2022 and is the third-leading receiver coming back from last year’s roster, although a pair of transfer additions to the roster means Wallace will look to make a statement this spring for consideration for an increased role in the fall.
Penn State’s linebacker depth in 2023 could be the best it’s been in years.
There is potential that this will be one of the most exciting linebacker groups that Penn State has had in a while.
The group is headlined by true sophomore [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] who really opened eyes last season. Coming in wearing the coveted number 11 jersey as a true freshman meant the spotlight would be on him all year. He more than delivered and has a promising collegiate career in front of him.
Another interesting nugget is there are no seniors in the linebacking corps for 2023-24. The most experienced players are two redshirt juniors. This is a good sign for the future as this group will be able to continue playing with each other for multiple years going forward.
There will be depth chart battles this spring to keep an eye on. The main one to watch is between [autotag]Kobe King[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Elsdon[/autotag] for the starting middle linebacker position. Elsdon won the battle last spring and summer, but the snap counts last season were pretty similar.
Abdul Carter
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 6’3″ / 233 lbs.
Year: Sophomore
Expected Role: Starting Weakside Linebacker
There is a real buzz around Abdul Carter about what he can do this season. Coming into Penn State, Carter was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class. He was excellent in his freshman season recording 56 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His PFF grade was 76.2 ranking him 122nd out of 789 linebackers last season.
With another offseason in the college weight room and more time to get familiar with the defensive scheme, the sky is the limit for Carter. He could be the highlight of what’s expected to be a very good defense.
As Penn State begins spring football practices, there is a fresh look at the quarterback position led by Drew Allar.
After years of consistency in the quarterback position, 2023 ushers in a new era for Penn State as they have a youth movement at the position.
[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] is attempting a career in the NFL after four years as the start for Penn State, meanwhile, former 5-star recruit [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] looks to take the reigns as a sophomore. Backing him up though is the definition of inexperience which further pushes the importance of the role that Allar will play this year.
From Allar to the new faces on campus, let this be your quarterback preview for Spring football in 2023.
Drew Allar
Syndication: The Herald-Times
Measurables: 6’5″/238 lbs.
Year: Sophomore
Expected Role: Starting Quarterback
Drew Allar is the most hyped and anticipated starting quarterback in program history since Christan Hackenberg in 2013. Ten years later we get Allar who steps in for the veteran and consistent Sean Clifford. Allar has even been getting some early Heisman Trophy discussion as well.
Penn State has a mid-tier passing defense scheduled for them in 2023 which should give him some success in 2023. Penn State hasn’t had a true dual-threat quarterback in quite some time so we can also expect the offense to look different this year. They have got the skill players around him for success, all that is left is for Allar to dive into the deep end of the pool and start swimming.
Penn State’s spring football practices will begin soon. Here are five newcomers you should get to know.
Penn State coach James Franklin hasn’t always utilized the transfer portal the way most coaches do but that has changed and now we see more impact players coming in for the program.
He has always recruited well for the Nittany Lions and has had a great staff that attracts players to come in. This offseason he was able to attract several significant transfer players to pair with a strong 2023 recruiting class for the team.
Get to know just some of the new faces on campus that could be making plays in the Fall inside Beaver Stadium.
5 big questions for Penn State football to answer as spring practices for 2023 begin
Coming off a season that saw the team go 10-2 in the regular season and celebrating in a shower of rose petals in Pasadena, Penn State has a lot of reasons to believe it will be in for another strong season in 2023. After a handful of young stars blossomed last season on both sides of the football with [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag], [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag], and [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] wasting no time leaving a mark on the program, and with continued development from players like [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag] and the return of [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag], the Nittany Lions have the look of a team that is deserving of preseason hype as a possible Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender next fall.
And we have yet to address the big new name to the roster expected to have a leading role this season, sophomore quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag].
