- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,144,959
- Reaction score
- 59
Penn State football is embarking on a renewal process quite different from anything before.
The first full month of practice sessions and coming-together begins this week for head coach Matt Campbell, his new staff and revamped team It will end, ceremoniously enough, in some version of the Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium.
What a rapid but critical building process that will lead to an unknown 2026 season, starring their more than 50 new players.
Certainly, there's more get-to-know-you work than maybe ever for coordinators Taylor Mouser and D'Anton Lynn and their support staff and roster with its unique Iowa State feel. How will it all begin to take shape by the end of April?
Here are three questions these Nittany Lions must begin to answer now:
This season will start, for the first time in years, without a proven, game-changing pass rusher.
Who can help replicate the necessary pressure and fear from past defensive ends like Yetur Gross-Matos and Arnold Ebiketie, Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton?
Developing one or two forces off the edge is required for this defense to elevate and become elite again.
However, the best, most promising options all come with caveats: Max Granville is returning from serious injury, Yvan Kemajou has never been a starter and LaVar Arrington II has never played the position in college.
The transfers (Alexander McPherson and Ike Ezeogu) only had 1.5 sacks, combined, last year.
The Lions must replace two of the most productive running backs in school history.
The challenge will be appropriately sorting out the new options. Transfers Carson Hansen (power, pass-catching) and James Peoples (big-play speed, elusiveness) offer differing skill sets while returners Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace are just getting their first true shots to shine.
Who will emerge at the forefront in a month?
Because for all of their enticing versatility, a true rotation of runners has proven difficult to manage in State College.
The Lions' experienced, touted offensive line failed to perform to standards last year — and the entire team suffered in one close loss after another.
This new group must become grow into the trusted rock of the team — to protect its most valuable asset (quarterback Rocco Becht) and lead a makeshift running back room. They'll rely on just one returning starter (tackle Anthony Donkoh), two potential stars-to-be (Malachi Goodman, Cooper Cousins) and a load of intriguing transfers.
The spring should be about fitting the puzzle together, like at center. The battle there will be between the old (trusted senior backup Dom Rulli) and the new (Texas State sophomore transfer Brock Riker).
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Questions for Penn State football, Matt Campbell in spring practice
Continue reading...
The first full month of practice sessions and coming-together begins this week for head coach Matt Campbell, his new staff and revamped team It will end, ceremoniously enough, in some version of the Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium.
What a rapid but critical building process that will lead to an unknown 2026 season, starring their more than 50 new players.
Certainly, there's more get-to-know-you work than maybe ever for coordinators Taylor Mouser and D'Anton Lynn and their support staff and roster with its unique Iowa State feel. How will it all begin to take shape by the end of April?
Here are three questions these Nittany Lions must begin to answer now:
Will Penn State football have an elite pass rusher(s) again?
You must be registered for see images attach
This season will start, for the first time in years, without a proven, game-changing pass rusher.
Who can help replicate the necessary pressure and fear from past defensive ends like Yetur Gross-Matos and Arnold Ebiketie, Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton?
Developing one or two forces off the edge is required for this defense to elevate and become elite again.
However, the best, most promising options all come with caveats: Max Granville is returning from serious injury, Yvan Kemajou has never been a starter and LaVar Arrington II has never played the position in college.
The transfers (Alexander McPherson and Ike Ezeogu) only had 1.5 sacks, combined, last year.
How well will Penn State football replace running backs Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton?
You must be registered for see images attach
The Lions must replace two of the most productive running backs in school history.
The challenge will be appropriately sorting out the new options. Transfers Carson Hansen (power, pass-catching) and James Peoples (big-play speed, elusiveness) offer differing skill sets while returners Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace are just getting their first true shots to shine.
Who will emerge at the forefront in a month?
Because for all of their enticing versatility, a true rotation of runners has proven difficult to manage in State College.
How well can a new offensive line lead the team?
You must be registered for see images attach
The Lions' experienced, touted offensive line failed to perform to standards last year — and the entire team suffered in one close loss after another.
This new group must become grow into the trusted rock of the team — to protect its most valuable asset (quarterback Rocco Becht) and lead a makeshift running back room. They'll rely on just one returning starter (tackle Anthony Donkoh), two potential stars-to-be (Malachi Goodman, Cooper Cousins) and a load of intriguing transfers.
The spring should be about fitting the puzzle together, like at center. The battle there will be between the old (trusted senior backup Dom Rulli) and the new (Texas State sophomore transfer Brock Riker).
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Questions for Penn State football, Matt Campbell in spring practice
Continue reading...
