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‘Seeing the game differently’: Sophomore safety shows breakout potential for Penn State football

Rising sophomore KJ Winston could be ready to make a splash in Penn State’s secondary this season.

Published

1 month ago

April 19, 2023

Penn State Football, breakout potential, safety KJ Winston

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes tight end Logan Kendall (32) runs the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) in the second half in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — For better or worse, the 2023 season for Penn State will be defined by new faces and young depth players stepping into elevated roles. Nowhere is this more emblematic than in the Nittany Lion secondary. While the room is filled with veteran leadership and playmaking ability, Penn State’s safeties will be tested this year. Gone are stars like Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown to lead the way in the defensive backfield. But during Saturday’s Blue-White Game, sophomore safety KJ Winston showed that he has the breakout potential Penn State football needs this season.

KJ Winston flashes breakout potential in Blue-White Game

If you follow Penn State football recruiting, you’ve likely been waiting for KJ Winston to make his mark. A former four-star prospect, Winston was a top-ten player in Maryland coming out of DeMatha Catholic in 2022. As a true freshman, Winston quietly burned his redshirt last season. Appearing in 12 games, Winston recorded 11 solo and 16 total tackles in 2022.

As a recruit, Winston showed physicality and raw athletic ability, making evaluators excited about what he could do at the next level. During Saturday’s Blue-White Game, that talent flashed for really the first time at the collegiate level. Second on the team with six total tackles, Winston was one of the first players mentioned by James Franklin, noting that he was “flying all over the field.”

Winston didn’t appear surprised by his performance when we spoke with him after the game. “My main thing was to do my job and trust my teammates to do theirs. That’s what we always preach,” he said. “So, I felt like I did that. I played at full speed, played fast, and the results were what they were.”

Penn State football needs to find a star safety this season

The secondary was one of the strengths that led Penn State to the Rose Bowl last year. That’s to be expected for a unit with soon-to-be NFL Draft picks like Joey Porter, Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown (and future NFL talent Kalen King) leading the way. But this year poses a new challenge for Manny Diaz and Anthony Poindexter. Like Porter last season, King is expected to lock down one side of the field for the Nittany Lions. Whether or not the secondary continues to play at an elite level depends on everyone else.

A critical component of this 2023 defensive will be the ability of another defensive back to rise up and display breakout potential. Like Saturday, KJ Winston’s speed and aggressiveness could help him do just that. “I feel like the physicality I can bring to the secondary and just being a competitor [is what he can bring to the defense],” Winston said. “I feel like that’s the main thing. Just being a competitor back there to help the team out.”

Winston also noted that the mental aspect of his game has taken a step forward this year, which has helped improve his play on the field. “I think just knowing what I’m doing and knowing what the offense is trying to do to me and seeing it before it happens,” Winston said when asked what he has improved since last season. “So, I feel like that’s what allowed me to make a lot of plays. Because last year, I was just going out there and playing ball. Now, I’m seeing the game differently.”

If Winston can continue his growth from the end of last season and spring into the summer, then he possesses all the skills to be one of the standouts on the Penn State defense in 2023. But even without a returning star like Brisker or Brown, the Lions’ defensive backfield isn’t expecting a dropoff in play this season.

“…we just want to make each other better and compete,” Winston said. “Everybody looks at each other the same. We all want to compete. No matter who it is, we know whoever’s on the field is going to make a play.”

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Related Topics:Featured KJ Winston Manny Diaz Nittany Lions Penn State penn State football

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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

7 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

14 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.

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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

22 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).