Penn State Spring Update: Lions to Watch at the Blue-White Game

Looking for the next stars of Penn State's football roster? Here's a spring game primer.

Author:
Mark Wogenrich
Updated:
Apr 14, 2023 1:23 PM EDT

In this story:

Penn State coach James Franklin wants to cut his players loose, within reason, at this year's Blue-White Game, returning some of the live scrimmage elements that the game lacked in 2022. That will give fans a meatier viewing window and the coaches one more reasonably meaningful practice to assess.

Franklin knows he's building a contender this year. Heck, he mentioned Penn State's preseason ranking at a February Board of Trustees meeting. Franklin rarely acknowledges rankings without a purpose. The coach has a team ready compete.

The public gets its first look at that team Saturday 15 at Beaver Stadium, when the Lions host the Blue-White scrimmage. Fans know the returning offensive talent such as Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Olu Fashanu and Theo Johnson. They're familiar with defensive standouts Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, Abdul Carter, Curtis Jacobs and Kalen King. And they'll have eyes peeled on quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula.

But who else should Penn State fans train their focus during the spring finale? Here's a Blue-White Game primer.

Penn State Offensive Players to Watch

Harrison Wallace III: The redshirt sophomore and KeAndre Lambert-Smith have separated themselves as the Lions' top two receivers. Wallace has some big-ticket ability (he averaged 14.4 yards per catch last season) but needs to generate more consistency. As do all the receivers.

Malik McClain: The 6-4 transfer receiver from Florida State caught passes from Sean Clifford at Penn State's Pro Day. He looked the part, demonstrating a long reach on some catches, and needs to build his rapport with Allar.

Khalil Dinkins: At tight end, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren took it easy this spring and likely will again at the Blue-White Game. Which leaves room for the young tight ends to make their case. Dinkins (6-4, 240) is a prime contender to fill that third tight end role.

Drew Shelton: Fans saw plenty from Shelton last season, when he replaced Fashanu at left tackle in November. Shelton's shifting to right tackle, where he'll give Caedan Wallace a run for the starting spot.

Nick Dawkins: Having missed most of last season with an injury, Dawkins returns as a lineman with center/guard flexibility and a fresh view of his role. He also has that new WWE contract.

Jaxon Smolik: Allar and Pribula should get plenty of Blue-White work, but Smolik will take his share of snaps. The true freshman who enrolled early has made the coaches feel more comfortable that they have a No. 3 quarterback ready for the season.

Penn State Defensive Players to Watch

Storm Duck: Even without Joey Porter Jr., the Lions were deep at cornerback with Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, Daequan Hardy, Cam Miller and a few promising freshmen (notably Elliot Washington II). Then the Lions added Duck, an all-ACC cornerback, from the transfer portal. They're loaded here.

Tony Rojas: This spring's freshman to watch, Rojas has gained 29 pounds since enrolling and has been running some second-team snaps in practice. Teammates have been wowed, and Franklin has been asked more about Rojas than any other freshman.

Jaylen Reed: The junior safety was injured in the Rose Bowl and underwent offseason surgery but has been practicing this spring. He'll likely take limited snaps, but the ones he takes will be important for the prospective starter.

Zane Durant: Franklin and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz made defensive tackle a position priority this spring. They need to develop a few, both in size and demeanor. Durant, a sophomore, heeded that call. He's bigger than last season, now listed at 276 pounds, and on "a really good trajectory," Franklin said.

Dani Dennis-Sutton: He played in all 13 games last season, so the defensive end is a veteran. But Dennis-Sutton is unique in that he could shift inside for specific packages. The sophomore truly has position flexibility.

KJ Winston: Another freshman who burned his redshirt last season, Winston has risen up the secondary's ranks. How's this for praise from Reed, his fellow safety: "KJ Winston is going to be an All-American at Penn State."

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.