Penn State Quarterback Peyton Falzone Is Practicing at a New Position

The freshman quarterback began working at tight end this week.

Penn State quarterback commit Peyton Falzone of Nazareth (Pa.) High at his Signing Day ceremony with Penn State and Nazareth helmets. | Mark Wogenrich | Penn State on SI

Peyton Falzone, one of two quarterbacks who signed with Penn State's 2026 recruiting class, is practicing at a new position. The freshman from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, began working at tight end this week, a program spokesman confirmed. Blue-White Illustrated first reported the move Wednesday.

It's unclear whether Falzone's switch to tight end is permanent or a test drive during training camp. Penn State began training camp with five scholarship quarterbacks, including fellow freshman Kase Evans, who initially signed with Matt Campbell at Iowa State last year.

Penn State quarterbacks coach Jake Waters said Aug. 7 in State College that Falzone began camp practicing at quarterback but also was taking different kinds of reps at the position. Since arriving at Penn State in January, Falzone has gained more than 20 pounds, Waters said. The quarterback is listed on Penn State's roster at 6-5, 216 pounds.

"He's with us at quarterback and continuing to work and grow every single day on how to be the best quarterback possible," Waters said last week. "But then also, given the type of athlete he is and how big he is, ... we're going to kind of let his body just go naturally where it's going to go. A guy with that type of athleticism, it definitely opens up possitilities and opportunities to do some really cool stuff with him."

Falzone signed with Penn State in December, just a few days before Campbell was named the head coach. He was a 3-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the 27th-ranked quarterback nationally.

Falzone threw for 2,136 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior at Nazareth but was limited to four games his senior year. He threw for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns before sustaining abroken clavicle in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Following rehab, Falzone began practicing with Penn State during its preparation for the Pinstripe Bowl and enrolled in January.

Peyton Falzone (14) works with the Penn State Nittany Lions quarterbacks during practice at Holuba Hall. | Mark Wogenrich | Penn State On SI

Penn State's coaching staff has been impressed with Falzone's size and athletic ability since he began working with the quarterbacks. In high school, Falzone was a 6-5, 200-pound quarterback who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and did a 38-inch vertical jump.

"I've said to other people, there's no doubt that he's the best athlete I've ever had an opportunity to train," said Ohio-based quarterbacks trainer Brad Maendler, who worked with Falzone last year. "The things that he brings to the table are pretty crazy."

In my 18 years of QB training, I’ve had so many good ones but I don’t think I’ve ever had a QB who’s as physically talented as 2026 Nazareth (PA) QB Peyton Falzone.

On top of those physical attributes is a top 1% drive/work ethic to improve. Still a work in progress but VERY… pic.twitter.com/jz68N69Sp8

— Brad Maendler (@BradMaendler) March 16, 2025

During Penn State's final practice of the spring, Falzone wore a blue contact jersey instead of the purple non-contact jersey that other quarterbacks wore. Campbell said he did that to give Falzone an opportunity to run the ball during practice.

"We really kind of took the purple jersey [off him] because he's had some impressive moments in the spring where he can run with the football and do some different things," Campbell said. "How can that guy help us down the road as we continue to move forward?"

Waters said that Penn State has been experimenting with using Falzone in multiple ways in the offense. Falzone could get work on special teams as well.

"Potentially getting him on some quarterback runs early," Waters said. "... You can get super creative with guys that can throw and then run too. So you never know exactly where we would get to him, but the possibilities for him are wide open with his athletic ability."

Asked whether they will test Falzone's ability to catch the ball, Waters said last week, "We might get to that, but I'm not sure right now. ... We're working every day to continue to grow, and he's still a young puppy. He just got here. He eame early, and he's got a ton of room to grow, and his body is obviously changing in a positive way, too."

Penn State quarterback commit Peyton Falzone of Nazareth (Pa.) High at his Signing Day ceremony with Penn State and Nazareth helmets. | Mark Wogenrich | Penn State on SI

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