[mm-video type=video id=01fvd9shg5xyttx9sahh playlist_id=01ey902ehrs6e9bvhw player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fvd9shg5xyttx9sahh/01fvd9shg5xyttx9sahh-b28e0a44bc2b26d56316bcc4eba3bb2b.jpg]
It was just over a month ago that the final game of Penn State’s 2021 season was played, and spring football is still a little more than a month away. But winter workouts are underway in Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions begin preparing for what they hope will be a big rebound season, and some new faces are starting to get to the grind with their new teammates.
Winter workouts officially got underway bright and early Tuesday morning and assistant coaches made sure to spread some encouraging news about who showed up to compete in the practice sessions.
Set the Standard. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/Mlci74QfTk
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 8, 2022
Both coordinators took to their Twitter accounts to share who their unit’s best player was. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich named starting quarterback and team captain Sean Clifford as the offensive competitor of the day. Clifford announced his return for a rare sixth year of eligibility prior to Penn State’s appearance in the Outback Bowl. It will be the first offseason in which Clifford has had the same offensive coordinator to work with leading into a new season, and Clifford would like to make up for a few down moments in 2021 in his final year of eligibility.
COMPETITOR OF THE DAY! @seancliff14 #SNIPER1 #WeAre pic.twitter.com/dqWfj59rzJ
— Michael Yurcich (@Coach_Yurcich) February 8, 2022
Penn State’s new defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz, also went with a team captain for his defensive competitor of the day, with Jonathan Sutherland getting the props of the day from the new defensive playcaller. Sutherland has been a standout on special teams during his time at Penn State, with some defense mixed in. But Sutherland is expected to be a top candidate to take on a larger role in the defense in 2022.
Winter Workout 1️⃣ is in the books! Congrats @jay_suth the Competitor of the Day for the #LBU group! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/7qS4AuLa6E
— Manny Diaz (@Coach_MannyDiaz) February 8, 2022
Other notable players from Penn State’s first winter workout included cornerback Kalen King, defensive end Nick Tarburton, cornerback Ji’Ayir Brown, running back Keyvone Lee, wide receiver Jaden Dottin, tight end Tyler Warren, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, and punter Barney Amor.
Kalen King @KalenKing21__ has picked up where he left off from season. Excited to see his development. Capped a Defensive Victory this morning!#LockDownU pic.twitter.com/lOCfmDFc8a
— Terry M. Smith (@CoachTerryPSU) February 8, 2022
Winter workout 1 #LawnBoyz winner of the day @KeyvoneL 🦁 pic.twitter.com/9cVmWib4rP
— JaJuan Seider (@coachseider) February 8, 2022
“Iron sharpens Iron” Winter Workout #1 competitor of the day is @NickTarburton40 pic.twitter.com/TtzIYWLGcD
— John Scott Jr. (@CoachJScott_DL) February 8, 2022
Competitor of the day: @JuiceScruggs! #WWW #WeAre pic.twitter.com/Ywzsw5jcTI
— Phil Trautwein (@CoachTrautFB) February 8, 2022
Day #1 of winter workouts and @_Tiig2 bought that heat! Way to set the tone! pic.twitter.com/fST7U61vm9
— Anthony Poindexter (@Coachpoindexter) February 8, 2022
Great work this morning!!! Tight competition, but the Competitor of the day for the TE room is Tyler “T-Breezy” Warren!! He brought it this morning! Love the way our group worked!! pic.twitter.com/6qMG3snyuE
— Ty Howle (@CoachTHowle) February 8, 2022
Great job setting the tone today! @barneyamor #WeAre #SWATOnTheReady! pic.twitter.com/i5gUjtHRyO
— Stacy Collins (@CoachCollins46) February 8, 2022
@jadendottin worked his tail off today. He was our competitor of the day for the WR’s. pic.twitter.com/yxhmPdoEsJ
— Taylor Stubblefield (@CoachStubbs) February 8, 2022
These winter workouts are the first that have been opened to early enrollees in Penn State’s Class of 2022, so we will be keeping an eye out for possible shoutouts from the coaching staff for any of the new faces in the crowd. Penn State will eventually be adding to its roster with other recruits in the Class of 2022 that have not enrolled early and any possible additions from the transfer portal, including recent commit from Cornell, Hunter Nourzad.
Penn State’s spring game, the Blue-White Game, is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 23 in Beaver Stadium.
[listicle id=10557]
[lawrence-related id=16028,16020,16018,16011]
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.
Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.