Where Drew Allar and Penn State's offense stand after spring camp

Spring ball is over for the Nittany Lions. Penn State wrapped up camp over the weekend with the Blue-White game, the team’s 15th and final practice.

Over the last month or so, there’s been plenty of chatter about position battles and player development in Holuba Hall and at the Lasch Building.

Later this week, we’ll take a look at the defensive side of the ball. But first, as we exit spring ball, let’s dive into the offense and what the depth chart might look like.

QUARTERBACK

Starter: Drew Allar

Backup: Beau Pribula

In the mix: Jaxon Smolik

James Franklin has yet to announce a starter. But all signs point to Allar, who supplanted Christian Veilleux as the backup in 2022, played in 10 games and looked good when given the chance. Allar had a year to not only log reps but also watch and learn behind a sixth-year senior in Sean Clifford. He is expected to be the guy.

Pribula will take on more responsibility than he had as the fourth-stringer and scout team quarterback. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Mike Yurcich cook up a unique package to feature Pribula’s legs. And as Penn State learned the hard way at Iowa in 2021, the backup has to be ready in case an injury befalls the starter.

RUNNING BACK

Starters: Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen

Backup: Trey Potts

In the mix: London Montgomery, Cameron Wallace, Tank Smith

Singleton had more yards (1,061 to 867) and touchdowns (12 to 10) than Allen in 2022. Singleton’s national profile is bigger, especially after the record-setting Rose Bowl run. But Allen actually out-snapped Singleton, 440 to 384, last year. He also had more carries (167 to 156). Both should still be considered co-starters.

The primary backup will be Potts, who announced that he’s transferring in from Minnesota. The Williamsport native rushed for 1,026 yards and nine touchdowns the last two seasons, including 552 yards in a 2021 campaign cut short due to injury. The Nittany Lions needed a veteran back, and they got one.

Montgomery and Wallace, the 2023 signees set to enroll in the summer, are redshirt candidates. Smith, a walk-on, was the de facto third-stringer last year after Devyn Ford left the team and Keyvone Lee picked up an injury.

WIDE RECEIVER

Starters: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Harrison Wallace III, Dante Cephas

Backups: Omari Evans, Kaden Saunders, Malik McClain

In the mix: Malick Meiga, Liam Clifford, Cristian Driver, Tyler Johnson

Penn State entered spring ball with uncertainty at receiver. Fifteen practices later, there’s some clarity. Lambert-Smith and Wallace emerged as the top two receivers on the roster. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Lambert-Smith was the team’s third-leading wideout the last two seasons while Wallace started in place of the NFL-bound Parker Washington when he suffered a season-ending injury.

Cephas’ standing is based on reputation. The Kent State transfer hasn’t enrolled yet. But Cephas was one of the most sought-after players in the portal after recording 1,984 yards and 12 touchdowns the last two seasons at Kent State.

Evans is in a good spot after working with the first team in the final week spring and posting an 80-yard Blue-White performance. Saunders is a former four-star with a rapport with Allar, his roommate. McClain has the raw talent and 6-foot-4 frame. But can he do what he couldn’t at Florida State and carve out a consistent role?

TIGHT END

Starters: Theo Johnson, Tyler Warren

Backup: Khalil Dinkins

In the mix: Jerry Cross, Joey Schlaffer, Andrew Rappleyea, Mega Barnwell

Even with the departure of Brenton Strange, the tight end room is in solid shape. Johnson and Warren are the clear top options. The former is an uber-athletic downfield threat who had at least one catch of 25-plus yards in six of Penn State’s final seven games. The latter is a Swiss Army knife, especially in goal-to-go situations.

Behind Johnson and Warren, Dinkins has stepped up. He earned early praise during winter workouts and parlayed that into a productive spring camp. Dinkins, who appeared in 10 games last season, has the inside track to be Penn State’s third tight end — a role that is utilized quite a bit in Yurcich’s system.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters: Olu Fashanu (LT), Landon Tengwall (LG), Hunter Nourzad (C), Sal Wormley (RG), Caedan Wallace/Drew Shelton (RT)

Backups: Vega Ioane (G), Nick Dawkins (C), JB Nelson (G)

In the mix: J’ven Williams (OT), Alex Birchmeier (OT), Anthony Donkoh (OT)

Fashanu, a projected first-round pick, is locked and loaded on the blindside. Tengwall was playing well at left guard before suffering a season-ending injury at Michigan last year. Nourzad is primed to slide over to center and replace Juice Scruggs.

The battle at right tackle is ongoing. Wallace, a 27-game starter, played right tackle in the spring game. Shelton, who filled in as a freshman last year, handled the left side with Fashanu sitting out. Neither played particularly well, getting bullied around by Dani Dennis-Sutton. It’s too early to say which option will prevail.

Another spot to keep an eye on is right guard. Wormley started all 13 games there in 2022. But Ioane has been getting glowing reviews. The 6-4, 352-pounder is the most physically imposing lineman on the roster not named Fashanu. Don’t be shocked if the 2022 signee wedges his way into the picture.

One final note on the offensive line: there’s going to be some roster movement. Offensive tackle Jimmy Christ became the first Nittany Lion to enter the portal this spring on Sunday. There are other reserve linemen who could do the same. Meanwhile, Penn State recently offered Wyoming transfer guard Emmanuel Pregnon, who also has offers from UCLA, Auburn, Kentucky and Oregon.