Penn State category, Page 25
James Franklin, Penn State embrace high expectations for 2024
James Franklin understands that this year is a little different. Franklin, entering his 11th season as Penn State’s head coach, took the podium at Big Ten media days on Wednesday and answered questions from a crowd of national reporters at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The final question he fielded...
Penn State’s Abdul Carter joins Michigan, Ohio State stars in earning Big Ten’s preseason position honors
INDIANAPOLIS — Players from defending national champion Michigan and Ohio State claimed seven of the Big Ten’s 12 positional honors on Tuesday. They were selected by a media panel on the first of three conference media days in Indianapolis. The Buckeyes had four selections — safety Caleb Downs, receiver Emeka...
Penn State football sets White Out game for Nov. 9 matchup with Washington
Penn State football’s tradition of making its fans part of game-day activities while in their seats will continue this season with three themed games, plus several promotions, at Beaver Stadium. The highlight is the annual White Out, which is scheduled for the Nov. 9 game against Big Ten newcomer Washington....
First Call: LaVar Arrington calls Steelers ‘mid-tier’; 49ers Pro Bowler discusses Brandon Aiyuk situation
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us LaVar Arrington’s view of the Steelers in 2024. We get a teammate’s opinion of the ongoing Brandon Aiyuk saga in San Francisco. Former Penguin Carl Hagelin updates his health. And the Pirates get a second crack at a pitcher that recently gave them problems. No...
Penn State lands commitment from DT Randy Adirika
Penn State’s impressive recruiting surge is still going after James Franklin and his coaching staff added yet another sought-after defensive lineman to their 2025 class. Randy Adirika, a four-star prospect from Miami Central (Fla.), verbally committed to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 class Tuesday. He projects as a defensive tackle at...
Penn State picks up commitment from legacy recruit LaVar Arrington II
The son of a Penn State legend is following in his father’s footsteps. LaVar Arrington II committed to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 recruiting class on Thursday. The son of Penn State great LaVar Arrington announced his decision on social media. Arrington II is a three-star linebacker from Charter Oak High...
Penn State recruiting: What holes still need to be filled?
James Franklin and Penn State are on a recruiting heater. But what more can Franklin and his coaching staff add to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 recruiting class? Penn State’s recruiting run has been mightily impressive. The Nittany Lions have secured verbal commitments from eight prospects in the 2025 cycle in...
Ranking the top 10 offensive players in coach James Franklin’s 10 years at Penn State
Coach James Franklin has been at the helm of the Penn State football program for a decade, with plenty of offensive players finding immense success in that time. Here’s a look at the top 10 offensive players of Franklin’s tenure. 1. RB Saquon Barkley There is a pretty clear top...
Penn State lands commitment from 2025 4-star edge rusher Jayden Woods
James Franklin and Penn State’s coaching staff are on a recruiting heater, bolstering their 2025 class with yet another high-profile, four-star prospect. Jayden Woods, a consensus four-star edge rusher from Mill Valley High School (Kan.), verbally committed to Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class Wednesday. Woods, ranked as the No. 167...
Penn State open to selling ads on field but ‘it’s always going to be Beaver Stadium’
Recent NCAA rule changes have opened the door for schools to put logos on fields, opening sponsorship opportunities for programs across the country. With Beaver Stadium already in the early stages of renovations, that gives Penn State a chance to add an extra revenue stream to help pay for those...
Penn State adds coveted 4-star quarterback to its 2026 recruiting class
The future of Penn State’s quarterback position just got brighter. California quarterback Troy Huhn, a four-star prospect in the 2026 class, verbally committed to the Nittany Lions’ program on Tuesday morning, per Blue-White Illustrated. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Huhn, who was pursued by James Franklin, offensive assistant Danny O’Brien and offensive...
Penn State lands commitment from coveted 4-star DE Granville
Penn State added yet another high-profile prospect to its 2025 recruiting class. Max Granville, a consensus four-star defensive end/linebacker from Fort Bend Christian Academy (Texas), verbally committed to the Nittany Lions on Monday night. Granville, one of Penn State’s top defensive targets in the 2025 cycle, picked the Nittany Lions...
Penn State’s wild weekend includes 3 commitments, 2 defections
It has been a wild weekend for Penn State recruiting. After a commitment and a flip already came Sunday, 4-star Maryland defensive end Cortez Harris committed to Penn State in the evening. Harris, who plays at Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is rated as the No. 20 edge prospect...
Penn State defensive end Zuriah Fisher, an Aliquippa grad, out indefinitely with injury
Penn State has one of the deepest defensive lines not only in the Big Ten but also in the country entering the 2024 season. But a key piece of that group appears set to watch from the sidelines. Penn State defensive end Zuriah Fisher, an Aliquippa native, is out “indefinitely”...
3-star Florida DB Antonio Branch Jr. commits to Penn State’s 2025 class
Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith are putting in work for Penn State on the recruiting trail. Antonio Branch Jr., a three-star safety from Miami, committed to Penn State on Wednesday. He became the first safety in Penn State’s 2025 class and the third defensive back to...
Penn State receives commitment from 4-star New Jersey DB Jahmir Joseph
Penn State used its third official visit weekend of the summer for many of its already-committed 2025 prospects, leaving a few spots for top targets the coaching staff hoped would be convinced by the heavy Penn State enthusiasm. It’s already paid off. Class of 2025 cornerback Jahmir Joseph committed to...
10 years in, James Franklin reaches a critical point in his Penn State tenure
James Franklin leaned back in his seat as he pondered the question. Was he as happy as he anticipated being 10 years into his Penn State career? He sat in a makeshift office two floors lower in the Lasch Football Building than his office of the past decade, due to...
Left tackle’s return after offseason surgery gives boost to Penn State offensive line
One of Penn State’s biggest pieces of the offensive line — literally and figuratively — is back with the team at full capacity. Tackle Drew Shelton, who underwent offseason surgery and missed spring practice, has been cleared for all activities, coach James Franklin said Thursday. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Shelton was...
Penn State lands commitment from highly touted DB Daryus Dixson
After its second major official visit and camp weekend of the summer, Penn State has its first class of 2025 commitment since early May — and it’s a big one. Cornerback Daryus Dixson, a highly rated four-star according to the 247Sports composite rankings, committed to Penn State on Monday after...
Inside Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki’s unconventional path from Division III to Happy Valley
STATE COLLEGE — Andy Kotelnicki leaned back in his conference room chair, rubbed his beard and thought long and hard about what he was going to say next. The question was simple yet complicated: How did a former offensive lineman at a Division III school in Wisconsin become one of...
First Call: Context for Cam Heyward’s contract desires; are Steelers a 2nd option for Micah Parsons down the road?
Wednesday’s “First Call” puts some numbers to what Cameron Heyward may be asking of the Pittsburgh Steelers in terms of compensation for the rest of his career. Also, a Dallas Cowboys star is putting out feelers about joining the Steelers if the circumstances are right … players besides Brandon Aiyuk...
Penn State found ‘friction’ between coach James Franklin and team doctor, but could not determine violationVideo
An internal review by Penn State in 2019 found evidence of “friction” between football coach James Franklin and a now-former team doctor, but it could not determine whether Franklin violated NCAA bylaws or Big Ten standards by interfering with medical decisions. The 15-page document from Penn State’s office of ethics...
First Call: Giants keep signing former Steelers; Allen Robinson surprised at release
Friday’s “First Call” shows us yet another Pittsburgh Steeler heading to New York. An ex-Steeler describes why he was surprised at his release from Pittsburgh. Isaiah Buggs got sassy with the media covering his animal cruelty case. And the Pirates have a Spider-Man meme opponent in Canada this weekend. Big...
Penn State at West Virginia football opener set for Big Noon Kickoff
Penn State will begin its 2024 college football season on one of the sport’s biggest stages. The Nittany Lions’ season opener Aug. 31 at West Virginia will kick off at noon on FOX as part of “Big Noon Kickoff.” Penn State’s matchup at West Virginia will wrap up a scheduled...
Jury delivers stunning verdict in fired Penn State football doctor’s trial
A Dauphin County jury Wednesday night found in favor of a fired Penn State football team doctor who claimed Nittany Lions head football coach James Franklin repeatedly interfered with his medical decisions and return-to-play decisions for injured players. Dr. Scott Lynch was awarded the stunning sum of $5.25 million in...
