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Penn State football: 6 Nittany Lions named top 100 players in college football

Six Nittany Lion standouts have been ranked among the nation’s top 100 players.

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Sep 14, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The countdown to the first game of the 2023 college football season continues, with yesterday marking 100 more days until kickoff. In celebration of this milestone, On3 released their highly anticipated list of the top 100 players in college football. Notably, the list features six standout Nittany Lions, all of whom have made significant contributions to the success of Penn State football thus far.

Six Penn State football players ranked among top 100 in the game

Six Penn State football stars have earned spots among the top 100 players in college football, with two of them even securing positions in the top 10. Impressively, five out of the six Nittany Lions were ranked within the top 35 players in the sport; the only exception was linebacker Curtis Jacobs, who will undoubtedly be driven to elevate his performance as he aims for a Big Ten title this upcoming season.

Let’s take a look at the six Lions who made On3’s coveted list:

Olu Fashanu (7)

The highest-ranked Nittany Lion on the list is Olu Fashanu, who made the noteworthy decision to return to Penn State football despite his NFL Draft stock skyrocketing. Fashanu has been generating significant national attention, with draft experts considering him a potential top-5 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Furthermore, he is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding all-around players in college football, earning a spot among the nation’s top 10 players according to multiple sources.

Kalen King (10)

The exceptional Penn State football secondary will be spearheaded by none other than preseason All-American Kalen King, who showcased his talent in impressive fashion last year. With the departure of Joey Porter Jr., who established himself as one of the finest cornerbacks in Penn State’s history, King steps up as this year’s CB1. Encouraging reports from spring ball and practice interviews indicate that Kalen King has been surpassing expectations as the 2023 season approaches, boding well for the success of Penn State football.

Abdul Carter (16)

Ranked just outside the top 15 at an impressive No. 16, the next standout from Penn State football is none other than rising sophomore sensation Abdul Carter. During his true freshman season last fall, Carter showcased his exceptional skills, drawing comparisons to renowned players like Micah Parsons and others. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a Freshman All-American, setting the stage for even greater achievements this upcoming season. It seems that Carter is poised for a remarkable journey filled with growth and success in the coming fall.

Chop Robinson (25)

The final Penn State football standout that is ranked in the top 25 is Chop Robinson, one of the nation’s elite pass rushers. Last fall, Robinson stood out during his first-ever season in the Blue and White — the young EDGE secured more QB pressures than any player in college football, and was PFF’s top-ranked pass rusher. This fall, Robinson will return to the sidelines in Happy Valley, and is looking for even greater success.

Nick Singleton (33)

The fifth Nittany Lion to earn a spot among the top 100 is running back Nick Singleton, who made a lasting impression as one of the finest Penn State football running backs in recent memory during his true freshman season. Last year, the highly touted five-star recruit made history by becoming the first Nittany Lion to achieve a 100-yard rushing game since 2020 (Keyvone Lee) and the first Penn State running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season since 2018 (Miles Sanders). As the new season approaches, expectations are high for Singleton to continue his exceptional performance and deliver another campaign of elite-caliber play.

Curtis Jacobs (100)

The last Penn State football standout to secure a spot on this prestigious list is linebacker Curtis Jacobs. Alongside Abdul Carter, Jacobs anchors one of the most formidable linebacker units in the country heading into the upcoming season. Penn State has earned its reputation as “Linebacker U” for a reason, and history suggests that Jacobs is poised for a breakout campaign in the Blue and White this fall. Though he narrowly made the list, ranking at No. 100, Jacobs’ impact and potential may be underrated, and his presence on the field is undoubtedly significant.



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Chris, a Penn State University student, founded Basic Blues Nation in 2022. He remains a co-owner of the website today. Throughout a six-year writing career, Chris has been a beat writer, a staff writer, an Editor-In Chief, and more, serving as a member of the credentialed media for a number of Big Ten schools. He has covered everything from non-revenue sports to CFP National Championship matchups, as well as some professional and high school sports.

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