Roster Moves: Scouting Penn State's Latest Football Roster
Penn State released its latest football roster this weekend, the one it will take into a training camp ostensibly scheduled to begin Aug. 7.
What does the new roster look like? A few observations.
Holding steady
At least as the roster is constructed, Penn State hasn't lost any scholarship players to transfer or other departures since June 17, the date of its last roster release. So the team has gone through voluntary workouts over the past seven weeks with apparent roster consistency.
Seems to be a good sign.
Tipping the scales
Several players, notably linemen, have made significant weight changes since the last roster was released. Coach James Franklin said that players would return to workouts in various stages of shape, something strength coach Dwight Galt IV seems to have addressed.
Defensive ends Smith Vilbert and Adisa Isaac were among the biggest movers. The 6-6 Vilbert is down 20 pounds, to 246, while Isaac has lost 16 pounds, getting to 240.
In addition, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs is at 285, down 16 pounds from his June weigh-in at 301. Scruggs said he worked out diligently at home during the shutdown and was among the first players to return for voluntary workouts.
Hakeem Beamon, a redshirt freshman defensive tackle, is down 14 pounds to 274, and fellow tackle Judge Culpepper dropped 13 to get to 281. Culpepper said recently that his body fat is significantly lower as well.
"It's just much better weight and it just feels better on me," Culpepper said. "And that’s a testament to Coach Galt and his strength training program."
Other notable weight changes since June:
Offensive lineman Mike Miranda is down 16 pounds to 285.
Cornerback Marquis Wilson is down 15 pounds to 166.
Linebacker Lance Dixon is down 13 pounds to 210.
Defensive tackle Nick Tarburton is down 11 pounds to 248.
And among those adding weight:
Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah, a freshman who enrolled early, has taken advantage of the weight program, gaining 19 pounds to 302.
So has fellow early enrollee Theo Johnson, a tight end who has gained 9 pounds to 258.
Safety Trent Gordon is up 8 pounds to 200. Gordon transitioned from cornerback to safety during the offseason.
Freshman running back Caziah Holmes gained 7 pounds, getting to 215.
Fellow back Noah Cain is up 5 pounds to 228.
Freshmen numbers
Holmes will wear No. 26, Saquon Barkley's number, in his first season at running back. Elsewhere, receiver Cam Sullivan-Brown has switched to No. 6, formerly worn by linebacker Cam Brown.
Here are numbers for the new 2020 enrollees:
2: Quarterback Micah Bowens
13: Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith
15: Safety Enzo Jennings
16: Safety Ji'Ayir Brown (junior transfer)
17: Cornerback Joseph Johnson III
18: Wide receiver Parker Washington
19: Wide receiver Jaden Dottin
23: Linebacker Curtis Jacobs
24: Running back Keyvone Lee
26: Running back Caziah Holmes
33: Defensive end Bryce Mostella
36: Linebacker Zuriah Fisher
41: Defensive end Brandon Taylor
43: Linebacker Tyler Elsdon
44: Tight end Tyler Warren
51: Offensive lineman Jimmy Christ
54: Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah
56: Defensive end Amin Vanover
57: Offensive lineman Ibrahim Traore
66: Offensive lineman Nick Dawkins
74: Offensive lineman Olu Fashanu
78: Offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba
80: Wide receiver Malick Meiga
84: Tight end Theo Johnson
88: Wide receiver Norval Black (junior transfer)
95: Defensive tackle Cole Brevard
99: Defensive tackle Coziah Izzard
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