Penn State poised for a special season: 15 thoughts, plus a season prediction (2024)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State hits the practice field Wednesday, marking the start of the preseason.

James Franklin’s 10th season arrives with a level of excitement and anticipation that might be matched by only the 2017 campaign. Both times the Nittany Lions were coming off trips to the Rose Bowl. Both times they featured special running backs who figured to become national storylines in the upcoming season.

This roster is loaded with talent, so much so that Olu Fashanu, Chop Robinson and Kalen King are already projected by many as potential first-round picks. There is, of course, a former five-star quarterback ready to take control of the offense. And let this detail resonate: Penn State might be home to the best offensive tackle in college football. That’s not something we’ve said often around here.

So, can a first-year starter at quarterback be good enough to get Penn State where it needs to go and push for a College Football Playoff spot? We’ll see if hype can match expectations as one final year in the Big Ten East Division still means games against Michigan and Ohio State.

We’ll hear from Franklin, coordinators and players Sunday at the team’s on-campus media day. Until then, it’s time to empty the notebook about these 2023 Nittany Lions.

1. On Aug. 23, 2019, Sean Clifford was named Penn State’s starting quarterback. On Aug. 24, 2016, it was Trace McSorley who was publicly named QB1. I bring these dates up as a barometer. Franklin reiterated all offseason that it’s an open competition between Allar and Beau Pribula. That’s the standard line with the head coach who once said Saquon Barkley’s spot was up for grabs.

Barring a major surprise, expect Allar, last year’s backup, to be the guy. And, if precedent holds, I predict a starter will be named sometime in late August.

2. In a storyline that surely will be written about after the season — as draft talk heats up — Fashanu and USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams shared a huddle in high school. I asked Fashanu if he sees any similarities between Allar’s intangibles and how Williams carried himself at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.

“The main one is just being a hard worker,” Fashanu said. “It’s something with both Caleb and Drew. They’re both extremely hard workers. With Drew, I’m really excited for him because I know he’s gonna be successful. He put in the work ever since he’s been here. Now it’s time for him and the rest of the quarterbacks to really shine.”

3. King, Penn State’s top cornerback, was third in the Big Ten in pass breakups last season with 18. He should be one of the best corners in the conference this season. Who knows how much we’ll actually see the potential King versus Marvin Harrison Jr. matchup in The Horseshoe in October, but it’s tantalizing to think about it.

I asked Harrison at Big Ten media days if he knows much about King at this point.

“I haven’t studied him just yet,” he said. “I studied him a little bit last year getting ready for the Penn State game, but I kind of thought Joey Porter Jr. would be more on me. (King) is a great cornerback. I’m excited for that matchup. I definitely respect him a lot and I know he’s a great player.”

4. Is a Tommy Stevens-like package still in the plans? In the offseason, Franklin talked about potentially finding a way for Pribula to get on the field, but players didn’t say much when asked about it at the end of spring ball. Maybe it’s one of those things we see in a big game. Maybe it’s just an idea that has no staying power. We’ll see.

5. Nick Singleton said several times during the offseason that he wants to catch more passes in 2023 — and Penn State’s coaches want him to catch more passes. Singleton had 11 receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown last season. Kaytron Allen had 20 receptions for 188 yards and one TD. The ceiling is so high for both talented sophom*ore running backs. Getting the ball in Singleton’s hands as much as possible has to be a goal for this offense. His Rose Bowl performance showed everyone again why he’s special.

6. Minnesota receiver Chris Autman-Bell said he sometimes forgets Trey Potts is now a Nittany Lion. Autman-Bell was reminded of this detail during media days when Potts sent a photo of Penn State’s Rose Bowl trophy to his Minnesota group chat — which still includes Potts, who transferred to Penn State this offseason. Potts responded with something along the lines of “remember who won that last year.”

“I miss him a lot,” Autman-Bell said. “Trey stays in the group chat. He’s like a troll in the group chat. He knows how to have fun, how to poke at people. … That brotherhood stays forever no matter where you go.”

Potts’ role in an already crowded Penn State backfield could be something to monitor, especially during nonconference play. Limiting the wear and tear on Singleton and Allen is important, and it’s also why the timeshare in the backfield is so important. Potts will likely be the No. 3 back, and he should also find a way onto special teams. He transferred to Penn State to be closer to his home in Williamsport. The coaching staff was on board because it wanted a veteran back for some insurance.

7. Franklin’s comments last week about safety Keaton Ellis were quite interesting. Franklin said all that’s missing from Ellis’ game is the type of disruptive, big-play ability that Ji’Ayir Brown and Jaquan Brisker excelled at the last couple of seasons. Ellis, who started 13 games last year, was named a captain in the spring. Last year, his most disruptive moments were two tackles for loss and seven pass breakups — four of which came in the season opener at Purdue.

8. This is Penn State’s best group of defensive ends in a long time. The Lions are well-positioned with three players who could start anywhere in the Big Ten in Robinson, Adisa Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton. But the question is who develops next to them? There’s been plenty of buzz about Hakeem Beamon and Jordan van den Berg this summer while Zane Durant quickly saw the field last year as a freshman. Dvon Ellies is back for another go-around, and Coziah Izzard will push for a bigger role. If Beamon and/or van den Berg emerge, this D-line will be a force.

9. Right tackle will be one of the most intriguing competitions during camp, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it spills into the season. Sophom*ore Drew Shelton continues developing on the right side while fifth-year senior Caedan Wallace, who has started 27 games at right tackle, has a chance to win back his old spot. Long term, Shelton’s future is likely at left tackle.

It feels a little weird that we’re not talking about concerns with Penn State’s offensive line heading into a season. Welcome to a new era.

10. All the concerns about limitations at linebacker were wiped away as last season progressed. Will the same happen this year at wide receiver? It’s the biggest potential flaw on this team. There’s plenty of talent for position coach Marques Hagans to work with, but it’s largely unproven. KeAndre Lambert-Smith needs to be the No. 1 while Harrison Wallace III and Dante Cephas will be major contributors.

Then, it’s up to the likes of Omari Evans, Liam Clifford, Kaden Saunders, Malik McClain, Anthony Ivey and countless others to round out that top six. By my count, there are 12 wide receivers and six tight ends on scholarship. Penn State won’t hesitate to use the tight ends more if needed. There’s certainly strength there with Theo Johnson, Tyler Warren and whoever emerges as the third tight end — likely Khalil Dinkins.

11. Penn State is taking a page from the SEC. Lining up a game against UMass on Oct. 14 — the week before the Lions head to Ohio State — is setting the table for the showdown in The Horseshoe. Penn State plays at Northwestern on Sept. 30, then has an idle week before the visit from UMass. While you’ll hear plenty of 1-0 talk each week, let’s not kid ourselves: Penn State has an ideal lead-up to the Ohio State game.

12. The Penn State defense under Manny Diaz made noticeable improvements throughout the 2022 season. The 418 rushing yards allowed to Michigan was a lowlight to be sure, but this wasa defense that rounded into form as it got more comfortable with Diaz and as Curtis Jacobs’ versatility allowed Abdul Carter to get on the field in the base defense. A strong showing against Minnesota in October was the turning point. Now, it’s about seeing if Year 2 with Diaz means this defense starts the way it finished last year.

A softer schedule down the stretch last year helped, but Penn State was dominant in those games. What makes a Diaz defense difficult to prepare for? Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa saw it firsthand last year as the Terps were shut out at Beaver Stadium. Tagovailoa is already thinking about November when Penn State comes to College Park.

“They change the picture up a lot,” Tagovailoa said. “He’s really aggressive with blitzes, and he’ll do different blitzes any down. It could be third-and-15 and he’ll bring a zero blitz. It’s a little different from other coaches, but I think he’s really unique with the timing and the calls and stuff like that. He switched it up. Stuff we saw on film — we saw a lot of stuff on film you know as you study like favorite calls, tendencies and stuff like that. It comes to the game and they’ll play a whole different type of defense. It’s one thing to call it like that and have everyone mess it up, but everyone was on the same page that day. I think he’s a really good coordinator.”

13. Playing in Ohio Stadium is by far the toughest road environment this season. Other than that, it’s not a schedule full of hostile road environments. Heading to Illinois, Northwestern, Maryland and Michigan State — in a game in the climate-controlled Ford Field the day after Thanksgiving — makes for a bit of an unusual road schedule. There’s no doubt changing locations for that game versus Michigan State is a highly favorable outcome for Penn State. I can say with certainty there will be no lightning delays or snow squalls to be worried about this time.

14. Don’t forget about all the changes on special teams. There will be a new kickoff specialist and a new field goal kicker. Pencil in a new punter and a new punt returner, too. Penn State has invested scholarships in kickers and punters, and while Sander Sahaydak and Alex Bacchetta were both on the roster last year in backup roles, the additions of Alex Felkins (Columbia) and Riley Thompson (FAU) guaranteed there would be plenty of competition for these jobs.

15. The floor for a roster this talented should be 10 wins. Now, is that too ambitious with a first-year starter at quarterback and an unproven receiving corps? Or is not ambitious enough given all the talent elsewhere?

It’s Michigan’s turn to come to Beaver Stadium while Iowa will get the White Out treatment as one of two night games in Beaver Stadium in September. Penn State has to find a way to close the gap on Michigan and Ohio State. Does Allar deliver a dagger back home in Ohio against the team he turned down after the Buckeyes offered late in his recruitment? I think Penn State can take one of those two marquee games. Until proved otherwise, Michigan has been the tougher matchup for Penn State. Even so, Penn State’s lone win against Ohio State under Franklin came in 2016. With a new quarterback in Columbus, this is the Lions’ chance to strike.

If Allar is who many think he is — myself included — my way-too-early prediction is that Penn State gets the job done in Columbus but still can’t topple Michigan.

My pick: 11-1.

(Top photo of Nick Singleton: Matthew O’Haren / USA Today)

Audrey Snyder has covered Penn State since 2012 for various outlets, including The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Patriot-News and DKPittsburghSports. Snyder is an active member of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) and is the professional adviser for Penn State’s student chapter. Follow Audrey on Twitter @audsnyder4