Penn State football: Ascending newcomer named to preseason true freshman All-American squad

Penn State football true freshman offensive lineman Cooper Cousins has been named among the top newcomers to college football. Monday, On3 selected the incoming Nittany Lion to its 2024 preseason true freshman All-American team.

Compiled by Charles Power and Clark Brooks, the list is On3’s projection of freshmen who could make an immediate impact on the field in 2024. Cousins fits the profile, given his pedigree as a former five-star recruit and top interior offensive line prospect in the nation for the class of 2024.

“Cooper Cousins was among the most ready-to-play offensive linemen that we were able to evaluate both on film and in-person in the 2024 cycle and is already running second team at Penn State,” wrote Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Ranking. “His plus size along the interior creates an advantage in the run game, and he has the versatility to really play all five positions on the offensive line, along with his ability to snap as a high school center.”

Cousins generating buzz during Penn State football training camp

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

Arriving in State College in January, Cooper Cousins made an early impression throughout the winter and spring practice. Now, the McDowell High School alum has been turning heads throughout August, earning high marks from James Franklin that still leave an impact a week later.

“[Cousins] shows up on campus. He is competitive,” Franklin commented following last Tuesday’s practice. “A lot of guys say they want to play as true freshman, but they’re not willing to do necessarily what it takes. And the guy is either in class or in the building. And asking a ton of questions. He’s super aggressive. He’s not intimidated or afraid of anybody.

“And then every night, I shouldn’t tell you this, because you guys will be out here with your cameras. But like, I’ll come from watching film, and I’ll go to bathroom from watching film it’s like 9:45 and I walk to my office, and he’s out there on the field every night at like 9:45 with headsets on, like, doing pass sets.

“And it’s kind of weird, to be honest with you, but he is as driven and as committed as a young player as I’ve ever been around, and specifically on the O-line, because it’s hard to play those grown man positions, O-line and D-line, as a true freshman. But he’s going to be hard to keep off the field.”

Cousins and the Nittany Lions kick off the 2024 season next weekend in Morgantown against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

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