FOOTBALL

Penn State football: 2023 Blue-White game defensive players to watch

Watch out for these rising stars to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball this season.

Published

2 months ago

April 14, 2023

Shane Lunnen

Penn State football practice; April 11th, 2023. Credit: Gracie Carella//Basic Blues Nation

A season ago, Penn State football had one of the best defenses in the country. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz struck the perfect balance of bend-but-don’t-break and aggressiveness in his play calling. Seasoned veterans crescendoed, and newcomers burst onto the scene. But now, the defense begins anew. While there are many familiar names returning this season, the Penn State Blue-White Game on Saturday is a prime opportunity for supporting players to step into a new role and for new faces to make themselves known.

Penn State Blue-White Game defensive players to watch

Statistically, Penn State ranked 17th in total defense and 10th in points allowed last season. When it came to forcing turnovers, the Nittany Lions shined. Manny Diaz knew just the right moments to turn up the heat on opponents.

The 2023 defense loses some big-time names from a year ago including Joey Porter Jr, Ji’Ayir Brown, and PJ Mustipher. Defensive line coach John Scott also left for a job with the Detroit Lions. But there is still a lot of solid returning talent, and James Franklin promoted Deion Barnes to take over at defensive line, a much-celebrated hire.

You already know the established veterans. Here are three names to watch during the Penn State football Blue-White Game and to keep tabs on as we head toward the fall.

Jaylen Reed

With Ji’Ayir Brown heading to the NFL, one of the two safety spots is up for grabs. Junior Jaylen Reed looks to land that spot, but he will have to fight off some competition from sophomore Kevin Winston.

Reed burned his redshirt in 2021 appearing in eight games. He took on an increased role a year ago as a backup but appeared in all 13 games. He posted 31 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three passes defended. Unfortunately for Reed, an injury suffered in Penn State’s Rose Bowl victory required surgery. However, Reed told the media last week that the surgery didn’t slow his offseason progress at all. We’ll see if Reed will be limited in the Blue-White Game, but expect him to be ready to go for fall camp.

Zane Durant

The defensive tackle position is one that Franklin and Diaz are focused on this off-season. While the Nittany Lions have some great returning talent with Hakeem Beamon and Dvon Ellies, a star in the making could be Zane Durant.

Durant burned his redshirt a year ago, appearing in all 13 games. He recorded five tackles and one sack. While those stats do not pop, expect that to change this season. Durant has beefed up his body, now listed at 276 pounds. With a wider frame and a more focused demeanor, Durant looks up to the challenge. Filling the shoes of PJ Mustipher will certainly be a collective effort by all the tackles. However, Durant is a name to be watched for a breakout star in 2023.

Tony Rojas

If you are looking for a true freshman to make a big splash for Penn State this season, look no further than linebacker Tony Rojas. The four-star Virginia product has already turned heads during spring practice. The fact that he enrolled early in January and has already put on nearly 30 pounds of good weight while still maintaining his speed is a great sign.

The competition is tough for Penn State football at linebacker as there are five veterans back. Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter have their starting jobs pretty much locked down. However, a year ago Carter earned All-American honors as a freshman, and Rojas could be in line for a similar fate. He most likely will factor into the rotation this fall and could be the first freshman to burn his redshirt. His teammates have been wowed in practice, and now the Blue-White game will be Rojas’s first chance to win over the fans.

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FOOTBALL

Penn State football: CFB analyst claims Nittany Lions are ready to beat Ohio State, Michigan

According to a major analyst, this could be the year for Penn State football.

Published

8 hours ago

May 29, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, JD Pickell, Michigan, Ohio State

Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball past Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Dasan McCullough (0) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Rarely in the history of Penn State football under James Franklin has there been such an overwhelming sense of anticipation as there is now heading into the 2023 season. Just a year ago, fans held a wide range of expectations, but not a single soul could have predicted that the Nittany Lions would conclude the season with an impressive 11-2 record, securing a top 10 ranking and clinching a victory in the Rose Bowl against the PAC-12 Champions. A prominent college football analyst, JD Pickell of ON3, recently stated that Penn State is poised to finally surpass both Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten.

Hype is building for Penn State football

It is no secret that Penn State football is widely regarded as one of the premier teams in college football at present. The Nittany Lions boast an abundance of talent from last year’s roster, which was among the nation’s finest, despite losses to Michigan and Ohio State.

In order to elevate themselves to the next level and establish their position as contenders for the Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff, it is imperative for Penn State to conquer both the Buckeyes and Wolverines.

According to Pickell, the upcoming 2023 season presents a perfect opportunity for Penn State football to achieve all of these objectives.

JD Pickell says Penn State might be ready to beat Michigan, Ohio State in 2023

Here is what ON3 analyst JD Pickell had to say on his show, The Hard Count, about Penn State football and their hopes of climbing back to the top of the Big Ten in 2023.

“They’re getting a lot of hype now and for good reason,” Pickell said. “What would Penn State fans typically say going into last season? ‘Really good roster. Nick Singleton, we’re excited about him, but we just don’t know with Sean Clifford. How far can Sean Clifford take us?’”

“There was a feeling around Penn State that Sean Clifford was a really good quarterback, but was he a really great quarterback? Was he gonna be enough for you to beat Michigan and Ohio State? The eventual answer to that question was not necessarily was Penn State good enough collectively — Sean Clifford included — to beat Michigan or Ohio State in 2022.”

Pickell further highlighted key players in the Penn State football lineup, including Drew Allar, Olu Fashanu, Kalen King, Nick Singleton, and others, as compelling reasons to be optimistic about the Nittany Lions’ prospects this upcoming season.

He concluded his analysis by affirming that the necessary components for success are already in place for James Franklin and his coaching staff as they prepare for the 2023 season: all the pieces of the puzzle have come together for the Nittany Lions.

“All these things on paper are aligning for Penn State to go and slay the dragon,” he said. “To go and beat Ohio State. To go beat Michigan. That’s the mission now for Penn State.”

FOOTBALL

2023 Penn State football coaching staff adds NFL experience to its ranks

This week, the 2023 Penn State football coaching staff added more NFL experience to its ranks.

Published

15 hours ago

May 29, 2023

Chris Mangum

2023 Penn State football coaching staff, Ola Adams

Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, the 2023 Penn State football coaching staff made a notable addition with the inclusion of Ola Adams. Adams, previously an assistant with the Denver Broncos and a seasoned defensive play-caller for the Villanova Wildcats, brings valuable experience and expertise to the Nittany Lions as they prepare for their upcoming campaign.

Excited to join the coaching staff at @PennStateFball. Huge thanks to Coach Franklin & staff for the opportunity. Also want to give thanks to the Denver @Broncos organization for the opportunity to work for a first class program last season. Looking forward to this new chapter! pic.twitter.com/aTX23NHvwr

— Coach Ola Adams (@CoachOlaAdams) May 24, 2023

2023 Penn State football coaching staff adds NFL experience with new hire

Under the leadership of James Franklin, the 2023 Penn State football coaching staff has undergone several minor changes, but the recent addition of Ola Adams stands out. Adams, who previously served on the coaching staff of the Denver Broncos, has joined the Penn State Nittany Lions as a defensive analyst in preparation for the 2023 season.

Adams’s background in the NFL proves to be an invaluable asset for James Franklin, especially considering the talent and potential carried by the Nittany Lions in their upcoming schedule. Before his tenure with the Broncos, Adams served as the defensive coordinator for the Villanova Wildcats at the Division 1 FCS level, which adds to his credibility as he joins James Franklin’s staff.

As an analyst, Adams’s role will not involve direct involvement in play-calling or player development. Instead, his extensive knowledge and experience will be utilized in analyzing film, scouting players, and evaluating opponents. The addition of Adams strengthens the Penn State football program with another NFL-minded individual, further enhancing their prospects.

The Nittany Lions face high expectations this season, and Adams’s presence on the coaching staff alleviates some of the pressure on the 2023 Penn State football coaching staff as they approach summer training and the opening game against West Virginia on September 2nd.

FOOTBALL

Penn State football updates roster with new enrollees

Penn State gave us our first look at the newest additions to the Nittany Lions football team.

Published

23 hours ago

May 29, 2023

Matt Thomas

April 15, 2023. Tyler Warren (44) and Theo Johnson (84) join the Penn State team in singing the alma mater following the 2023 Blue-White Game. Credit: Grace Carella // Basic Blues Nation.

Nearly halfway through the first summer session of classes, Penn State football has welcomed a slow trickle of new enrollees over the last month. Last week, the football program updated its roster with the numbers and measurables for the newest additions to the Nittany Lions football team. While the roster will likely be updated again before the start of the 2023 season, this update provides us our first glimpse at the progress made by these players since we last saw them on the field with a previous school or on the recruiting circuit.

Penn State football unveils numbers, lists heights and weights for new enrollees

Last week, Penn State updated its official roster for the 2023 season with the new enrollees who have arrived on campus recently. In addition to the four transfers who joined the team in May, Penn State also listed the eight freshmen from the class of 2023 who arrived in the last several days. The roster includes updated heights and weights for the new enrollees, as well as the number each will wear this fall for the Nittany Lions:

Tyriq Blanding (DT), freshman – No. 39; 6-1, 265 pounds.
Dante Cephas (WR), transfer – No. 3; 6-0, 180 pounds.
Audavion Collins (CB), transfer – No. 29; 5-11, 175 pounds.
Alonzo Ford (DT), transfer – No. 50; 6-2, 280 pounds.
Kaveion Keys (LB), freshman – No. 48; 6-2 195 pounds.
King Mack (S), freshman – No. 9; 5-10; 175 pounds.
London Montgomery (RB), freshman – No. 24; 5-10; 180 pounds.
Joseph Mupoyi (DE), freshman – No. 56; 6-5; 240 pounds.
DaKaari Nelson (S), freshman – No. 8; 6-3; 200 pounds.
Trey Potts (RB), transfer – No. 23; 5-9; 215 pounds.
Andrew Rappleyea (TE), freshman – No. 87; 6-4; 235 pounds.
Cam Wallace (RB), freshman – No. 26; 5-9; 175 pounds.

Some highlights of the roster update include transfer Alonzo Ford, who Penn State has listed as shorter and nearly 10 pounds lighter than Old Dominion had him last season. Incoming freshmen London Montgomery and Cam Wallace will need to bulk up to catch the rest of the running back room, with both weighing in at 180 pounds or less. Finally, Andrew Rappleyea comes in with a solid frame for an incoming freshman at 6-4, 235 pounds.

More on the way

The final pieces from Penn State’s class of 2023 will arrive on campus this summer before the start of fall camp. There are four more signees who will join the team before the 2023 season, including Jameial Lyons (DE), Chimdy Onoh (OL), Mason Robinson (DE), and Carmelo Taylor (WR).