The helmets are strapped on, and football is officially back in Happy Valley. On Wednesday, Penn State football returned to practice with one month to prepare for the 2025 season opener against Nevada.
On Thursday, the program shared a behind-the-scenes look at Day 1 of training camp from the outdoor Holuba Hall fields. The short video posted online showed us some of the Nittany Lions’ brightest stars, including quarterback Drew Allar, running back Kaytron Allen, and defensive tackle Zane Durant.
The clip also highlighted some of the roster’s biggest question marks heading into fall camp. For instance, we got our first look at notable spring portal additions, wide receiver Trebor Pena and linebacker Amare Campbell, wearing the Blue and White. We also saw sophomore tight end Luke Reynolds, who will compete to replace 2024 Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren, and standout linebacker Tony Rojas, who is returning to action after missing the spring with an injury.
You can watch the entire clip below.
We will get our first official look at the 2025 version of the Nittany Lions when Penn State opens the doors for media day on Saturday.
Penn State enters training camp with sky-high expectations
There’s no doubt that all eyes will be looking toward State College as the calendar turns to August. Picked to finish first in the Big Ten and a frontrunner to be ranked No. 1 when the AP preseason poll comes out next month, the expectations have perhaps never been higher for Penn State football in the James Franklin era.
Even with all the attention surrounding the program this summer, the Nittany Lions know the hype means nothing without a payoff in January.
“We embrace that [the pressure]. I came to Penn State understanding that and knowing that. Our players did as well,” James Franklin said at Big Ten Media Days. “So I think the conversations that you’re talking about nationally are happening, and we appreciate that, but it hasn’t really changed close to home, and it hasn’t changed internally in our program because these are always our expectations.
“Let’s also be honest. It’s a great conversation, but who really cares about preseason rankings? They mean nothing. It’s a good argument to have, and everybody has fun with it, but the only rankings that matter are the ones that happen at the end of the season, and that’s what we’re concerned about. The only way we’ll do that is by handling our business today.”
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