Penn State finding playing time for promising prospects while preserving redshirts

There was no indication that Penn State’s final possession last weekend against Washington would be anything other than a routine, clock-eating maneuver.

Getting the ball back up 35-6 with less than 90 seconds remaining, coach James Franklin had subbed in a fair amount of reserve players.

Included in that bunch was freshman tailback Corey Smith. On the first snap of the Nittany Lions’ drive, from their own 8-yard line, Smith exploded upfield for 78 yards on his second collegiate carry.

“He’s probably one of the fastest-developing guys I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula. “He got here and, I wouldn’t say he had a lot of work to do. He’s, obviously, got a lot of raw talent, but he wasn’t ready to play yet. But ever since the season really started, he’s one of those guys who just gets better every single week.”

Former Catholic Memorial Star Corey Smith Bursts out a 78 yard run in just his second career carry pic.twitter.com/QVKCbQ1ZSN

— Sports101 Daily (@a_rankings) November 10, 2024

Smith, whom Rivals, 247Sports and On3 ranked as a four-star prospect out of Catholic Memorial High School in Milwaukee, Wis., chose Penn State over a plethora of Power 4 options.

Saturday’s win over Washington represented his first taste of college football.

“We’re proud of him and the way he goes about his business every single week because he’s come a long way since he first got here,” Pribula said. “He’s going to be a really talented guy. I’ve seen that each week in practice as he continues to get better. It’s exciting for him and for the whole team to see that his development has translated to the playing field on Saturday.”

Smith was one of several young players Franklin mentioned by name this week with regard to potential increased playing time, while preserving a redshirt year.

Per NCAA football redshirt rules, a player may compete in up to four contests in a season without burning a year of competition.

Another was fellow true freshman Xavier Gilliam, a defensive tackle from Montgomery Village, Md.

Gilliam, a 6-foot-2, 302-pound specimen, made his collegiate debut in Penn State’s rout of Kent State earlier this year and has not played since.

With the Nittany Lions looking to keep a fresh rotation going on the interior defensive line, Gilliam, comfortably inside the NCAA’s redshirt parameters, could be poised for more action beginning Saturday at Purdue.

“He’s a very strong, explosive kid, and he definitely has big playmaking ability,” said redshirt senior Alonzo Ford of Gilliam. “I’m excited to see him get out there, ball out and see what he can do.”

True freshman wideout and Philadelphia native Tyseer Denmark (Imhotep Charter) also is expected by Franklin to get some more experience before the end of the season, whether against the Boilermakers or later down the line.

He debuted against Kent State, recording one catch for 13 yards in his only game action to date.

Penn State does not allow true freshmen to speak with media, but Pribula shined a light on what he has seen out of Denmark in practice since the 5-foot-10 receiver arrived on campus.

“My first impression of Tyseer when he first got here was, he’s an extremely talented guy,” Pribula said. “He’s committed to the game. He’s another one of those guys that loves football. He’s a program guy, he’a good dude and his talent is going to take him far, but also his love for the game is going to take him really far, as well.

“I’m excited for him to, hopefully, get some more game action because he’s a talented player. Just like Corey, he’s continuing to get better each and every week, so I’m excited for him.”

Freshmen cornerbacks Jon Mitchell and Kenny Woseley have played two games this year, with Antoine Belgrave-Shorter suiting up in one.

Linebacker Anthony Speca, a freshman out of Central Catholic, has played in two.

Freshman tailback Quinton Martin, a former Belle Vernon standout, has eight rushes for 29 yards in three games.

They also will be among the crowd of young players Franklin hopes to throw into the mix soon for additional fine-tuning.

“Some of these guys, it will be this game,” Franklin said. “Some of the guys, it will be next game.”