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

Football is back, and Nittany Lion fans will get their first glimpse of the 2023 team when spring practice officially concludes this Saturday with the annual Penn State Blue-White Game. The 2023 season could be a special one in Happy Valley. Expectations are sky high for the Nittany Lions to compete for the Big Ten championship and a trip to the College Football Playoff.

Penn State Blue-White Game offensive players to watch

James Franklin anticipates this year’s scrimmage to return to a more traditional format. We know all eyes will be on Drew Allar as he competes to take over the reins at quarterback. Of course, there also will be some looks at the sensational running back duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. However, let’s take a look at three other players to watch on the offensive side of the ball this Saturday.

Harrison Wallace III: a breakout for Penn State football?

Harrison Wallace enters his third year in the program as a redshirt sophomore. Last season Wallace caught 19 balls, averaging 14.4 yards per catch with one score. The former three-star wide receiver will have an opportunity to make a bigger impact this season.

Last month during spring practice, Franklin stated that Wallace and KeAndre Lambert-Smith had separated themselves from the rest of the receivers. It will be interesting to keep an eye on Wallace during the Blue-White game to view his breakout potential.

Drew Shelton: Making a push to start on the right side of the line

At the beginning of last season, Drew Shelton was not projected to see the field much, and the coaches were hoping to keep him from burning his redshirt. Unfortunately, injuries along the offensive line changed those plans, and Shelton saw extended playing time. But last year’s experience will help Shelton heading into this season.

When Olu Fashanu went down last year, Shelton filled in nicely at the left tackle spot. Now with Fashanu back and healthy, Shelton looks to push for a starting spot on the right side. The Blue-White Game will be a great opportunity for Shelton to show what he can do. A strong performance would go a long way to securing that starting spot.

Beau Pribula: Can he push for the starting role?

Most of the outside world is under the assumption Drew Allar is the starter. However Beau Pribula, from all accounts, is using the spring to push for playing time. Like his counterpart, this is Pribula’s second full spring with the program, and it has given him a chance to solidify at least the backup spot.

Even if Allar is named the starter, it is possible Pribula sees the field this fall in a similar role Penn State has deployed for previous backup quarterbacks Tommy Stevens and Will Levis. While Pribula does not have the strongest arm, the former three-star was a highly rated dual threat in the 2022 recruiting class. Perhaps we will get our first glimpse of his playmaking ability at the collegiate level this Saturday.

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