Penn State begins its 2024 football season in less than two weeks with its first trip to West Virginia since 1992.
The Nittany Lions are ranked in the preseason top 10 for the fifth time since 2017 and looking for their first berth in the College Football Playoff, which has been expanded to 12 teams for the first time.
Here’s what to look for this season:
Most important players
1.Drew Allar: The quarterback is in his second season as the starter and knows how to protect the football. Can he connect with receivers down the field?
2. Abdul Carter: The freakish athlete stood out at linebacker the last two seasons. He will split time between there and defensive end and might be the best edge rusher in the Big Ten.
3. Drew Shelton: The former Downingtown West star has the daunting task of succeeding All-American Olu Fashanu at left tackle. His coaches believe he’s up to the challenge.
4. Nick Singleton: The running back who starred at Gov. Mifflin might be the best weapon the Penn State offense has. Him gaining 1,500 yards from scrimmage is not out of the question.
5. Kaytron Allen: Singleton’s running mate and roommate again will be a large part of the offense. A patient and powerful runner, he looks to improve his receiving skills.
6. KJ Winston: The junior safety led the Lions in tackles last season and had three takeaways. PFF College rates him as the 28th-best player in the nation and the only Penn State player in its top 50.
Emerging stars
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III are poised to have breakout seasons.
Dennis-Sutton was mostly a reserve last season, but he was named to the All-Big Ten third team by the coaches.
Wallace got off to a strong start last season by making seven catches for 72 yards against West Virginia before an injury slowed him the rest of the year.
Flying under the radar
Tight end Tyler Warren and outside linebacker Tony Rojas are receiving little attention in preseason magazines, but they have the potential to have very productive seasons.
Warren caught 34 passes last year for 422 yards and seven touchdowns, which tied with former teammate Theo Johnson for the most in the Big Ten.
Rojas had a knack for being around the football during his limited action last year as a freshman.
Transfers to watch
Wide receiver Julian Fleming (Ohio State) and cornerback A.J. Harris (Georgia) will start or see regular playing time in their first seasons at Penn State.
Fleming was a starter last year with the Buckeyes and had 60 receptions for 803 yards and six touchdowns the last two years. He’s added leadership at his position and hopes to add production.
Harris was rated one of the top four cornerbacks in the 2023 recruiting class and played in seven games last year at Georgia. He probably will start at corner with Cam Miller.
Freshmen to watch
Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins and tight end Luke Reynolds have enjoyed strong preseason camps. It’s not surprising since Cousins and Reynolds were among the top-rated players in Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class.
Cousins, who starred at Erie McDowell, might see time at center and guard.
Reynolds has added about 20 pounds since he enrolled in January and is competing to be the third tight end behind Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins.
Don’t forget about running back Quinton Martin Jr. or wide receiver Tyseer Denmark, who both starred at Pennsylvania high schools.
Grizzled veterans
Four linemen who were part of Penn State’s 2019 recruiting class are in their sixth year in the program. All are expected to start or see regular playing time.
Sal Wormley will start at guard for the third consecutive season and is a leader on the offensive line.
Defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas (formerly Ellies) and Hakeem Beamon have been starters or regulars since the 2022 season. Defensive end Smith Vilbert, who had three sacks in the 2022 Outback Bowl, missed last season with an undisclosed injury.
Areas of concern
The wide receivers and offensive linemen understand why they’re facing scrutiny.
The receivers struggled last year to get open and to get on the same page as Allar. Then four of them transferred, including leading receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn).
The offensive line has to replace three starters who were NFL draft picks: left tackle Olu Fashanu, right tackle Caedan Wallace and center Hunter Nourzad.
Easiest game
Kent State, Sept. 21, at Beaver Stadium. The Golden Flashes went 1-11 last season and are picked to finish near the bottom of the Mid-American Conference.
Toughest games
USC, Oct. 12, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Ohio State, Nov. 2, at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions are favored to win every game except the one against the Buckeyes, who have won seven straight in the series.
Source: Berkshire mont
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