The Ultimate 2024 Penn State Football Preview

EA College Football 25 so how you feeling going into the season ecstatic I know I'm very bullish every year but uh I'm feeling pretty damn good especially with the 12 team playoff that I mean I think everyone every College analyst has said it that the 12 team playoff helps Penn State the most by far yeah I think we would have made it like five at least five years five of the last 10 yeah and especially if like our one loss is Ohio State and they end up winning the Big 10 or you know having one loss it's just like you know you kind of have to put us in if we don't have a complete blemish yeah record yeah 10 and two should definitely get in well welcome back to White out weekly the 2024 season preview as you just heard Hoops are high in the pie apple sky hoops and today we Penn State nerds are GNA briefly skim over the dep chart heading into the week one matchup against West Virginia King in on some position battles we're going to pick our breakout candidates for the year on offense and defense and lastly our season predictions which are like Dave said are always bullish and could leave us looking like clowns but first I have to ask the news going around probably only the us but college football 25 how many hours have you accumulated on it so far I don't know that I feel comfortable sharing it's been a high number I know I don't typically have a lot of free time but when I do it is uh it has definitely been consumed with with that new game uh Heisman mode is hard as [ __ ] it's definitely harder than I remember back in 2014 but uh they uh they certainly nailed nailed this one is worth a 10 year wait bro they like so first of all heisen mode is impossible to throw the ball it's it's insane and then second of all every time I have I can't return kicks because I just have to pull everyone back as I get roughing the kicker every single time oh I had to turn it off I had to turn it off I was sick of it it's it's a bug it's so freaking annoying so I yeah my pwn game my palm rain game just terrible but I personally went uh Hometown Philly did a temple rebuild hey got first recruiting class wasn't that great I went I kind of went for the stars on my first one didn't get that great uh but we're building you know step by step step selling them selling them on a planet the length wasn't good enough to get you a five star no not no well I I just went yeah I just went to because they're like a one-star program so I was going for like I was trying to get four stars and some sick guys in there but did it completely wrong when my first stemed you gotta build up your prestige you'll get there might have to rewrite the uh like the file and start again he's your squad uh well I definitely had to do a dynasty with uh Penn State I think up in year four at this point so Drew Aller is long gone I was I was gonna do that but like I I I just know all the players that are gonna come through like the ones that to start for basically four years so yeah year four you said yeah year four so what are your bigger recruits I'm sure the listeners care so much about this oh absolutely AB a festar QB uh currently red shirting behind uh bo at this point in his career so Bose's B's outshining the the rest of the country I think he's leading the Heisman race right now and I think other than that Singleton KRON are all gone so it's all the the fun EA autogenerated names yeah yeah those so it's all about the the recruiting and then I got another one going with trying to get uh accustomed to the local flavor around here so my rebuilds with George State playing at the old oh yeaha Braves Turner Field Dave boy is a uh Georgia Boy now that's right down here in the H of SEC country so let's get out of the Quarterbacks & Backfield fantasy or Video Game World get into the real football World um Penn State 2024 season preview we both are obviously ecstatic about this season about this roster the team captains were just named D DeLuca second time as a captain linebacker special teams Captain uh derler safety Kevin Winston Jr linebacker Kobe King centor Nick Dawkins and my favorite player punter Riley Thompson and I looked at that list and there's one thing that stood out to me the most and that was consistency and reliability out of all those names maybe Dre or not too much uh consistency for sure with uh you know his his touchdown interception ratio keeping care of the football but those two things stood out consistency reliability I think it speaks volumes that Aller was named to Captain as a junior the way that Penn State rolls is it's typically not just sayy the quarterback's always the team captain know you saw it with Clifford when he was in his final year as a as a team captain just with being the voice of the locker room but definitely think that's something that's definitely to note the fact that Drew was named named team captain as as a junior I think uh I think it speaks to the fact that he's likely taking on a bigger leadership role with the with the rest of the locker room so I think that's huge yeah for sure and I also have if you could notice I don't have my big 10 betting bananza trophy that is currently go right back here ship to Georgia I have billbo Baggins up here right there and the philosophy behind that is step by step and onon that I have a little prancing pony mug hey step by step love that so as we go on new offense coordinator andle Cod Nikki former Kansas offensive coordinator is in Mike urri finally out hopefully no more two yard bubble screens no more inside zones for two yards the quarterbacks are pretty much set in Stone derler entering his second year as the qb1 he had a solid year as his uh his first year as q1 throwing for 2,631 yards just under 60% passing rate again had a great 25-2 touchdown to interception ratio but with everyone harped on the Deep ball he averaged just 6.8 yards per attempt and in some crucial games he underperformed he was under 50% completion rate against Ohio State and Old Miss in the bll game totaled four touchdowns an interception and had two bumbles so Dave there's been talk about like I mean obviously internet talk Twitter talk about B you know taking over if Aller you know seriously underperforms do you have any stake in that or you just wiping that off completely no I think it would have to be a pretty abysmal start to the year for Drew to to have that type of conversation I think he's clearly solidified himself as as qb1 you I think being named captain again like I mentioned speaks volume to what where he's ascended to from a leadership standpoint I think knowing or or seeing Cotto Nikki's office if you offense rather if you watch any Kansas football which know a lot of folks probably haven't but there is a reason he was named 247 Sports offensive coordinator of the Year doesn't have the type of talent didn't have the type of talent at Kansas that you get at Penn State and was able to make do with dual quarterback system not necessarily that it was every Drive every down but yeah Jaylen Daniels uh world-renowned Talent suffered a lot of injuries or has had a lot of injury concerns over the years and then had uh Bean come in right behind them and they were able to still produce explosive plays but also while both those guys were healthy being able to use the two of them so I think he's he's big on getting The Playmakers on the field and Bo Pula is a playmaker he shown that last year with with the his running ability and be able to find the seam and get some big chunk yardage so I think you'll definitely see him on the field a lot probably with Aller but as for Aller himself you know the knock has been on on the Deep ball you're a box score Surfer you would look at Aller stats from last year and said damn he had a really good year but then if you wa watch those key games like a lot most of the country outside of Penn State World tuned in for Ohio State Michigan and then most recently the Peach Bowl with Old Miss it was some pretty subpar performance so definitely looking for him to uh to take a another big step this year and all eyes will be on that wide receiver room you know which we'll get into uh in a little bit here but definitely excited about the new offense he is on the uh Maxwell Player of the Year watch list which I feel like like 50% of college football players got named as some sort of watch list over the past couple days but do you think Aller struggles came more because of your is scheme or because of Aller himself I think it was probably a combination of both I mean his first full year of starter there's gon to be bumps in the road he's not gonna most guys don't have down especially in the Big 10 power five conference so I think I would ex definitely expect just some year-over-year growth just from having another year maturity another year just or having that game experience under his belt so expect to see some growth there I think the scheme definitely played a role and that's what I'm most excited about a lot of people are most excited about cotal Nikki scheme is all the pre- snap motion ultimately the play as it's got to be the right play but that pre- snap motion alone can generate some explosive plays and and scheme some guys open and really the the basis of the offense is get the ball into your playmaker's hands whatever that takes so I think I think it should definitely help him a lot and cud Nicki did so much with let's be honest like not as much talent as Penn State's bringing in so let's move on quickly to the next depth chart area the running backs that's again set in stone probably the most underrated tandem in the league Nick Singleton KRON Allen who had two 100 yard games last season and sent out a tweet just saying that they were the only tandem that had over 1700 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on less than 350 carries and someone CH me and was like wa did they cherry pick a stat and I was like just saying that they're in the elite company of every single back that's you know top five with basically half the carries because they're splitting Back Field it's like all right screw off so I'm pumped for hopefully Singleton to return to form to that explosive form that we all knew and KRON just to continue those jump Cuts Shifty moves open lanes power football he's just he going to be an an NFL prospect's dream watching his tap again similar to to all I know those guys have had you know a couple more years under their belt in regards to to steady playing time steady production but again going back to Cotto Nikki's offense and scheming Guys open I think probably the the the one that I'm looking to get the most out of this year would be Singleton the KRON has definitely proven where he's the reliable Workhorse back where he's going to be able to get that chunk yardage no matter what Singleton definitely struggled didn't quite take that leap next last year that we saw in that freshman season so I think we definitely expect cot Nikki to to have some plays and some wrinkles in the offense to be able to get him the ball in open space because he shows that you know he shown where when he has that the ball in his hands he's got the ability to to break one every every single time so definitely excited to see how these guys gel within the offense and then couple guys behind him it's a deep room the guys behind those two guys are definitely inexperienced but it really is everyone's heard of Quinton Martin number one Prospect in PA I think it's gonna be hard to keep him off the field this year I think they've even mentioned that he's he's gonna be one of the guys that they Greenlight to to burn that red shirt and then cam Wallace from down here in Georgia nothing but great things said about him over last couple years as he's grown into his body and develop in um he's kind of in a spot where he's just behind two premier running backs right now but he he could get some solid playing time you know anywhere else around the Big 10 so seeing what we can get out of him now probably the most talked about unit the wide Receivers, Who Will Be WR2? receivers so we got Ohio State's big body transfer Julian Fleming who should be a reliable Target for Drew Aller um huge Red Zone Target which is Big because we struggled in the Red Zone last year another name I see popping up this year is Liam Clifford could see action in the slot um Drew Aller in an interview said that he was so dependable you can plug and play him pretty much anywhere the smartest receiver on the team obviously Sean Clifford's older bro or young bro um PB background so you know he has the row Concepts down and had one drop last year so I see him playing a bigger role Than People expect in the wide receiving game this season and then other than that Harrison Trey Wallace and Amari Evans are the Juniors in the wide receiver room Kaden Saunders who should start in the slot is the elite softmore with Tyler Johnson Anthony Ivy as the other sophomores and then josi Brown and Peter Gonzalez as a freshman so big question is who do you see stepping up as wide receiver to I think I pretty much answered with mine well SL he beat three Liam Clifford for me but he' be your wide receiver too who do you think is coming out of that group I think it's Gotta Be Trey Wallace he's he's gotten a ton of Buzz he had a ton of Buzz last year and really showed out in that season opener against West Virginia yeah same opponent where believe he had a probably about seven or eight catches that game and then never really heard from him had some injuries couldn't quite get himself right for the rest of the year but the buzz has definitely returned through spring and fall Camp I think uh Kevin Winston Jr just or a couple weeks ago really highlighted what he's seen from from Trey Wallace in practice every single day that he's putting in the work and he's determined to really take that next leap this year so I think I'm really looking for a big year out of Trey Wallace this year see with me besides uh Liam Clifford I'll talk more about him more but Amari Evans I see M and having a big year just with that track speed yeah in C Nikki's offense so moving on to the tight ends we got Tyler Psycho T one of my favorite Pence daters of all time now Warren who's I think in for a humongous senior season as well as khil dkin who's going to be in his junior year we'll probably see a lot of them and a 12 Personnel maybe not with uh K n's offense probably run a lot of slot but Dan's more of The Blocking tight end gets some U targets here and there but psycho is just an animal um what else can you tell us about some of the younger I know we have some two younger tight ends you might get some playing time but who knows yeah I think just a touch on on Tyler Warren I think he you're exactly right I think he's primed to have a huge year this year he's kind of been stuck behind the last couple years behind again some NFL guys you got Theo Johnson this year or past year now with the New York Giants and then you had Brenton strange prior to that now with the Jaguars so he's just kind of been patiently waiting his turn but also been producing while behind the curtains waiting for his opportunity and and some big moments so definitely looking for a big year from him think KH denin has shown that when he gets his opportunities he comes through he's had some goal line opportunities last couple Seasons um you know he's has been able to prove that he's a big time Target in the Red Zone Jerry cross we haven't seen a lot from but highly highly ready to recruit so if he if he's sticking around in that room can only assume that he's been getting better and then again the young guys that are going to be hard to keep off the field there's a lot of position groups on this team which has you know us and a lot of people excited about this year's Penn State team is there's a lot of position groups that have young talent that it's just hard hard to keep them off the field you got Andrew Rapier who uh came in last year uh continued to bulk up in the weight room he was already pretty much D1 ready with with his body tip so another year in the strength program would be huge Luke Reynolds true freshman from state of Connecticut top one of the top tight end in the country I think he ended up being a five star his well-renowned talent and then another guy we don't have on this list is Joey schlafer who came in last year with raple it's another big time Target so it's a deep end room it's gonna again going back to cotal Nikki and trying to get all these Playmakers the ball you know I think the tight end group is one where you could see a couple guys rotating in and out throughout games just to get the ball in their hands because they uh I think they can be some big time players yeah I get I could see a situation because I mean Tyler Warren's such a good blocker but so dinging where we put I mean if we're struggling to find a wide receiver to put psycho te in the slot and then have you know one of those younger guys kind of Step Up in as the tight end for sure in a 13 person out that would be sick MH that's crazy idea but Trenches (Offensive + Defensive) another very talked about group but I think in a really good way the offensive line they have been recruiting so hard to get a solid group of guys that can finally contend with the defensive line in the trenches of Michigan and Ohio State and let's start with the left tackle solid combo of Drew Shelton who's in his Junior season and he's I just tweeted out he put out he's had 364 pass block snaps zero sacks allowed and then back him backing him up is jvin Bam Bam Williams who Red Shed last year he was the top offensive tackle offensive lineman Prospect in Pennsylvania um at left guard it's going to be I ion baa he's a sophomore red shirt and then backing him up is JB Nelson who is a critical Senor that I think may play a vital swing interior lineman position with his experience if you know God forbid an injury does occur and then team captain Nick Dawkins pumped about him he looks locked and loaded to go and backing him up huge because just getting so much experience and so much you know just how to be a college athlete college student athlete coer cousins true freshman we be learning behind Dawkins rard sou Wormley he's as solid As It Gets In The Run game just an absolute Beast of an offensive lineman again Outland Trophy watch list and finally right tackle Nolan Ruchi the senior transfer from Wisconsin 6'8 305 lb and behind him there are two retro freshman Anthony Duna who got snaps last season in the ball game at right tackle and he could maybe be a swing tackle you know in case again God forbid an injury occurs just like JB Nelson and behind him chimy Ono anyone I forgot in that group anyone you want to add and who stands out in that group for you no I think I think th those guys are definitely all on play I think the only other one would be uh Chim Diono uh or sorry you did mention him yes I think I think we got them all covered there's probably some other guys that were forgetting but it's like you mentioned it's the de group the coaching staff Phil troutwine who's gotten a a lot of flak over the years of not being able to build build out his recruiting base and be able to create a pipeline of talent uh we're in the midst of it right now where we've sent numerous guys the NFL even as recent as last year I mean you got a group coming in this year after losing top 10 pick in Olu fashu loss I know he had his ups and downs but ultimately he's getting his shot in the NFL Kaden Wallace previous to that you had Rasheed Walker you know guys whove been taking that that leap to the to the next level and I think you got plenty of guys here that have that same opportunity I'm I'm really excited about Cooper I know Nick Dawkins GNA have a really big year as the team captain but Cooper cousins talk about buzz like I mentioned with with Trey Wallace Cooper cousins is that to to the 10th level I mean he was just recently named to the preseason true true freshman All-America team which you as an offensive lineman you don't hear about that at Penn State uh too often you don't necessarily have offensive linemen that are ready to produce as a true freshman but uh believe he was the first commit in that recruiting class in his true freshman class uh way back and he's showing out ever since he's gotten to campus and I think he's another guy when you talk about being hard to keep off the field they're going to find ways to get Cooper cousins in this year because he's he's that type of an impact offensive L yeah this is I think I might have said this last year but it's such a great mix of Veteran and underclassman that I think this is set to become for the first time in a long time one of the top units just overall for this team in the upcoming years just given the talent of you know Alex birm who we didn't even mention the another top offensive line Prospect from Virginia got B Williams coming in Cooper cousins like mentioned uh you know two rro freshman that tackle it's just it's it's looking to be a a solid solid offensive line unit and I so pped about that I just hope it hope it pans out Crossing both my fingers so let's move on quickly to the defense again new defensive coordinator sh shout out to Manny Diaz and what he was able to do with the pensei defense I mean it was just incredible he he pretty much coined the nickname The Faceless defense the way he lined up or like over the over the ball it was just hats to the ball all over the field it was insane but he's being replaced by Tom Allen the former Indiana head coach and he will also be acting as the linebacker coach so the big news on defense the star Abdul Carter switching to defensive end which I think says a lot about the development and what not only Abdul and the players but the coaches think about Tony Roos who's now going to be starting at linebacker as a sophomore and then just think about abil Carter and then deny Dennis Sutton on the other side is just scary yeah I think the the the cool thing here too or the scary thing is the the caveat that's been mentioned by the coaching staff is that Abdul is still going to play in some spots or either some games at linebacker so having that flexibility where he has the the potential to be and give Grant it's his first year in the position at the power five level but definitely has an opportunity to be an All-American at defensive end but also have an All-American type Talent at linebacker where as an offense you don't know where the hell this guy's going to be lining up and it could totally depend on the matchup whether it's in-game adjustment or from a week to week standpoint I think that's a scary scary thought but can't wait to see this in action I think he's got chop Robinson tight moves and I know that's all that's a big statement but Abdul is just a special player you know he's you saw it in his very first snap or first series in that Purdue game on the road as a true freshman where he got ejected I think on his first career tackle for helmet to helmet and right then you knew this guy this guy can bring it and then I think Auburn he forced fumble yeah yeah absolute Beast um and then house notes jimy Lions excusing the team but we are still just absolutely stacked at Edge zai Fisher mean vanu Smith vilbert gonna get more reps deep there young players moving into the interior a lot of upper classman Devon J Thomas senior and Zane Durant Jr going to get a lot of reps as well as hakee Beaman and Kai isard who are senior rotational players who are definitely going to get in there and add some experience but keep an eye on number 58 Caleb artist reter sophomore and so right now our defensive line Abdul Carter denied Dennis Sutton backed up by Zariah fiser am me vanover at D tackle we have Devon and zann backed up by Hakeem and kaziah that is some monsters in the trenches right there great to have that that experience in the middle too so Devon Thomas formerly Devon Elise coming back Hakeem Bean coming back obviously got Zayn Durant like you mentioned who's been on the field since he was a true freshman has only gotten better and stronger so to be able to have that combination of talent and also experience is gonna again Prov prove dividends for for this group and prove to be I think a strength of of the defense again and then so AB as Abdul switches Linebackers, Defensive Backs, Special Teams to Edge rusher we now have a new not new two returning but a new linebacker Tony rhas and then a captain do Tom Duca and then probably my pick for moose underrated penate player kby King at linebacker um what more can you tell us about the linebacker group I know did I hear that dardi Nelson might be trans transitioning to linebacker as well yeah actually came about within the last couple days he's been a safety since he came on board at Penn State he's he certainly has the size and the length to be able to compete at the linebacker spot at 63 and I believe he's up to somewhere around about 220 maybe 225 now as he's you know spent the last couple years in the strength program but ultimate he he spent Spring ball wi win a workout Spring ball fall camp with the safeties and then was spotted during team picture day with the linebacking group and you know word has quickly spread that he's been getting some action at the linebacker spot and seems to be making that transition which I think is definitely going to add depth here if he can transition quickly and make that impact because I think if you look at the defense if you were to identify a weak spot although there's some great talent there where expecting big things from roas Kobe King has been a stalwart D DeLuca team captain but behind that I think there's definitely talent but it's unproven Talent so if one of those guys God forbid were to go down I think this is probably and it's it's hard to say with Penn State you know being lbu but with having that unproven talent I think that's probably the biggest question mark if you are were to spot one out on this defense would be at that linebacker spot just with the lack of uh experience uh yeah I would definitely agree with that and in terms of pass coverage I think that's going to be a big factor in terms of uh the linebacker play but I I just love the fact that Tony Ro house is got to get more reps I mean he saw seven in the Maryland game and had that for fumble the interception touchdown oh No Just interception um um and then in the bll game 20 snaps had four tackles and assist and two stops which are basically tackles for loss um so super pumped about him definitely excited to see what he has to do speed sideline to sideline speed hopefully he can be the coverage guy if kby king or D Deluga can't Step Up but speaking of coverage let's go to the defensive backs which I have to be honest Dave I'm a little worried about we have a lot to replace Ken King BR dequon Hardy the little literal college football 25 video game player gone and spoiled with pun returns with him and then one of the most I think underrated quarterbacks last year was Johnny Dixon gone but we did bring in some newcomers with a lot of talent and we are developing some homegrown Talent cam Miller's one name that stands out to me Elliot Washington and potentially Zaki Wheatley depending on how they uh Tom all wants to use him yeah I think it's definitely a lot to replace I think what I'm excited about is the infusion of the the SEC Talent at the quarterback spot so we got AJ Harris five star recruit was formerly recruited by State and that's really been the theme of who we've been able to get through the transfer portal as guys that the coaching staff's been able to maintain the relationship with not only the player but the families too to make that decision a little bit easier but AJ Harris Five Star High School recruit got some game action last year in the SEC the top tier program with Georgia could very likely be that number one corner you know it's really between him and cam Miller at this point but he's definitely shown his potential and what his ability through Camp you got Jaylen Kimber coming over from Florida again guy looking for an opportunity to get some more playing time SEC talent definitely can't shy away from that and then the big name coming out of camp and James Franklin has mentioned a couple times at this point has been alavian Collins who's who came over from Mississippi state is now this will be year two fir him in the program but recently there yeah Franklin as of recently saying he may be the most improved guy on the roster so and Nick goes by the nickname AC or that's what he's called very cool nickname so looking for potentially some big things from him and then like you mentioned Elliot Washington top top rated recruit at the quarterback spot you got Zion Tracy in there as well who got some exposure in that peach bow for good batter and different against Old Miss no they got kind of thrown to the wols with the opt outs but uh nonetheless good experience and looking to hopefully take that into this year and uh provide some depth so in terms of SLO corner I'm assuming AJ will be outside ciller outside slot Corner who who is currently in the lead in your mind or will it be like a mix of of guys I think AJ's definitely on the outside I don't know it'll be interesting to see how Tom Allen and Terry Smith and Terry Smith kind of gel and work this out I think I wouldn't rule it out that cam could find his way into the slot and potentially see Jaylen Kimber or AC on the outside I think we'll find out a lot in that week one matchup against West Virginia probably the first couple weeks of the Year Tom Allen the the very cool thing about his defense too is to see how he utilizes what he call the lion position within the defense is kind of that hybrid you know secondary linebacker spot kind of similar to Manny Diaz so be interesting to see how that gets utilized but I think a AJ is probably a foregone conclusion to be one of the starters but I think it's probably between cam Miller or Kimber for that for that nickel spot that yeah that's I was gonna ask I was going to call it the Rover but the line spot all right so safety obviously Kevin Jr is going to be starting zi Wheatley is he going to be starting at free safety or Jaylen Reed I think those are probably I think it's really between Zaki and Jaylen so I think either way those guys are going to get on the field it's it's just kind of the formality of who's going to start but I think as of right now I'd probably throw Zaki in there as the starter we'll see what what comes about could Jaylen be a the line spot I think he could especially with his with his in game experience uh funny note too I think it's funny story that he is not in college football 25 speaking of Jaylen Reed and his explanation was he just forgot to do the paperwork that was required so if you're playing as Penn State he's a he's an AI generated player but he's you'll you'll see his uh his true self making some big time plays and then wait what's his what's his AI name to think of it I I can't even remember it now that's hilarious I have to go back and get it but uh he'll definitely make some big plays uh Tyrese Mills so Penn State you've seen year-over-year go the lacana Joo route he's been in the program for a couple years now yeah jquan brisker take Brown go that route so uh been continuing to hear a lot of good things about about Tyrese Mill so I think uh he could definitely be a candidate for that lion spot too as he's got some size and could you know be that hybrid hybrid type guy anyone from black aana I will take M so last two Hunter Riley Thompson captain my favorite player special teams weapon is the nitty Lin's key to flipping the field so last year he was PFF seventh overall greater punter in all the nation ninth in the nation in net punt yards with 43.2 and the second lowest yards per return in the Big 10 also shout out the third phase special teams there um picker wise who are we looking at who's going to be knocking in Pats and hopefully over 40 yard field goals so we've seen the last couple years where again Franklin and the staff like to have a competition at the kicker spot have multiple guys and they like to use statistics all throughout camp and track their progress to ultimately make the decision but right now it's between Sandra sahak who's been in the program last couple years highly rated kicking Prospect hasn't quite been able to to get on the field has been a little bit shaky at times when he has gotten his his moments it's really between him and Chase Meyer the the transfer coming in so it's GNA be between those two guys you got obviously Gabe uh Gabriel nosu big the stalwart on the kickoffs to drive uh those beautiful touchbacks but uh be interesting to see who ends up getting starting on a kicker whether it be seak or Meer yeah I mean I guess it's good to have multiple kickers but I'd rather have kind of like a stal you know this gu's knocking in for wherever but regardless any news I haven't heard anything about um again I mentioned we were spoiled last year with day ju Hardy I think he should have got more Ops at returning punts but have you heard anything about the kick and I mean Singleton will be back there for turns but B Turner this year I'd be hard pressed to say it won't be king Saunders I think look definitely looking for Kaden have a big big impact on the field on the offensive side of the ball but with his speed and as he's continued to again grow into his body being in that strength program for for multiple years now I think he should be in a spot to be able to be a not just the you know the proclaimed starter at P returner but also an impact player at the pump return spot he's shown some flashes not quite to the extent of what we saw from Hardy or what we were spoiled with in years past but I think I think Saunders is is likely going to be the nod here unless one of the the Speedy freshman or one of those running backs ends up taking them out gotcha all right before we move on to Breakout Candidates our breakout offensive candidates of the year do you need to take a piss break or you good to go good to go baby all righty why you starts out all right so Darkhorse offensive candidate I think there's a lot of different places you could go here I think you got a lot of guys that are what's that tons of places tons of places I think I changed my answer four times yeah as I was going through I kind of did in on probably about four or five times so we talk about psycho Tyler Warren SL fight starter at tight endend you got guys behind him who've been in the program I just really think that Luke Reynolds is going to be it's gonna be really hard to keep him off the field so even as a true freshman even be being behind guys that have been able to produce already at the Big 10 level I think he's a guy that's I think he's a guy that's going to flash early and often and he cot Nikki and this staff is just going to have to get him on the field because I think he's that damn good so I'm looking for Luke Reynolds too not only burn that red shirt but leave it in the dust and put up some put up some numbers this year yeah his high school tape is out of control like just good to huddle watch highlights they're absolutely insane uh for me so my other two were Kaden Saunders Tre walls but I figured they were you know kind of kind of chalk and then my other one was C diin but I landed on Amari Evans so a lot of players and coaches are talking about great practice after great practice after great practice that he's had specifically his explosiv this down field and as we're talking about Drew Aller passing the ball downfield that comes to mind and dreel mentioned that he's taking that next step in his progression he's 6' 190 um tons of contested catches during practice there was that one recent video that was on Twitter of him just Mossing someone on the sidelines for Touchdown um he sort of came on at the end of last season um had four targets for four catches 90 yards no drops one cat in traffic and had that six yard grab against Michigan State helps up touch down and my favorite is when contal ball 25 released he tweeted at them because of his speed it was lower than he thought he posted some 40 times I guess that pen state ran during like I guess practice or whenever and he ran a 431 second was Nick Singleton who ran a 435 and right behind him was Zion Tracy who ran a 436 so love that that he's you know already putting bullon board material up being like all right you guys think I'm you think I'm that about to prove everyone wrong show that I'm about to be the number two wi's team going defensively we did mention this name before um so da want you go ahead and give us you or break out defensive candidate yeah I think based on how we've talked him up and what again the word of the day that what the buzz has been don't know if you can necessarily call him a dark horse but I'm rolling with it anyway I so damn excited about Tony Roos man I think he is gonna have a stellar year I've been stoked about him since they since the recruiting process one of the top prospects in the state of Virginia they on both sides of the ball he's only gotten bigger only gotten stronger proved that he was able to produce as a true freshman last year like you mentioned the bowl game had the big game against Maryland has stood out all through winter workouts Spring ball fall Camp the solidified starter at linebacker and I think he is primed to have a monster year and not just come on to the scene but I think the national scene as well I think I'm really excited about Tony Ras if you can't tell yeah he he won him and Dom Duca I think won pretty much every single linebacker we workout um I'm going to go to the trenches my favorite spot Zane Durant so backround him played B tackle which is so tough as a true freshman going up you know against guards who are just growing men so much bigger than you and completely held his own last season had five and a half sacks tied for or five and a half sorry tackles for loss tied for fifth with Abdul Carter he only put up two sacks but was so sound against the run and with Abdul and DDS on the outside I think he's going to have a ton of one-on-one past rushing opportunities which is I think where he excels so I'm expecting huge things from Mr Durantula again taken another nickname from Kevin Durant who passes on the best nicknames of all time the servant well never like like the servant Durantula the slim Reaper you pick the servant come on I think he's on to Easy Money Sniper now so I think Durantula is out for grabs I I like EAS moneyer but I still just can't respect the the passing of so many cool so many cool nicknames it's out of control all right lastly to wrap this up Penn State 2024 Season Predictions let's go over our overinflated schedule predictions so we'll start with uh week1 August 31st at West Virginia on the road the renewal of the West Virginia pennate Series this time we have to face them in morgant town for round two what do you think happens there Dave I think it's a tough opening matchup not an easy place to play I think the crowd's going to be hyped up we got returning quarterback Who and really not just for for Garrett green but as a team they improved mightily down the stretch since that you know week one matchup against us last year but I think the hype is too real for Penn State it's got to be to to come out and not get that week one dub would be an absolute gut wrench so I think the Lions definitely come out on top in week one yeah I mean even last year G green kind of took me back I was like who's this kid running all over us thrown cross's body mobile Dead Eye you know so I think that will be a tough game um but yeah I don't know new coaching staff but I think I think there's too much experience the boys the boys are going to get done that week so then we go week two Bowling Green when week three byy after that after a buy facing Kent State at home when dub Illinois at home win and then we go to the G October 12th at USC last time faced them was in the 2017 Rosewell right I think it's actually UCLA before then isn't it oh yeah yeah sorry sorry UCLA um our first meeting with them since 1968 bam believe it or not um um so yeah not much not much history there but is Chip Kelly still a coach in there now Chip Kelly is the OC at Ohio State so it's uh oh in Ohio State [ __ ] more I know right it's that guy dude I I hate his Cuts H Deshawn Foster former former Letterman former Carolina Panther running back great probably shouldn't do that but all right so at home UCLA I'm gonna count that as a win I think it's a dub I think UCLA I like their quarterback they got a good wide receiver group but I think making that first East Coast Road Trip true red trips it'll be something different not used to it so I think year one Penn State gets this yeah and that's where road trip come into play at USC like I just mentioned yeah 2017 rull last time we met um that's gonna be a tough one that is going to be a tough tough game I could honestly see that going either way to be honest obviously says wind but just on the road having that travel it could be a tight game that's all say yeah this is these next two are definitely it's a tough stretch I think I think this one Circle and that one right now yeah I think I think this could be a trip up at USC you're in loss I'm going loss all all right so we got one two 3 four five and one then we got the by week at Wisconsin Wisconsin we lead the series against the badges 11 to n and covered the last five that's pretty [ __ ] good I'm gonna win there tough place to play can't Randall but I think I don't think Luke fickles got that team quite where he needs it to be so I think yeah P they D cover the last five that's insane yeah yeah all right six and one then the the big one house state at home last year just still haunts me I mean last two years it's been seven well true very true last two years is like come on like JT to tood just taking over in five plays and then last year a series away a series away from winning that game okay so I think again that's my favorite video of all time it's hard to beat a team three times I mean they beat it seven times but this close it's hard to beat a team three times especially at home I'm going to win on that one oh I'm gonna win on that one it's hard to beat Team three times Gab I love our chances this year I love our team I love what this team will do I still don't feel that our roster is quite at the level or above Ohio States quite yet so I think I think this one unfortunately is the loss again all right circling that I'm I'm already penciling that in for Big 10 better Bonanza the house State spread I'd take penate spread so you I I'm six in one you're six and two uh Washington the white out game same at part du I have that as well uh at minota they're coming off a buy by the way I think it's a dub no I think I know that Ohio State match up obviously is gonna be a tough one but if this team's going to be primed for a playoff Earth I think that that last three that you had the gauntlet and then that last three stretch it's really where you're hoping that the offense has fully kicked it into gear and they're they're getting getting reved up and ready to go for a playoff run that could be a tricky one after at Purdue going at Minnesota that coming off of BU feel they could be kind of hyped up um lastly the quote unquote rivalry game the handshake game as I would like it to be called Maryland at home du du all right so I got this [Music] going 10 and one 11 and one right 11 and one yeah and then you got us 10 and two two so if my calculations are right we would probably it it depends on USC or in Michigan for us to get to the beat title well the the beauty of it is it's no more divisions yeah yeah for for the top two so it would depend on their conference and organ I would assume um but you 10 too we're not making conference title most likely with probably at large playoff Earth you're looking at 10 and two all righty um yeah I'm hoping we make that big 10 championship game and in terms so I was thinking about this in terms of a so we got a lot of Juniors on the team Pila as a backup Singleton and Allen a lot of young receivers as we said our offens blind is stacked for next year we got some studs linebackers chy Ros we talk about a lot I believe AJ Harris is a sophomore R sophomore so defensive backs were were looking good what would be a successful year in your eyes I mean obviously you know you're hitting at like the the player growth and development and being Prime for uh multiple runs here but I think it's got to start with making the playoff I know we obviously won a big 10 title want to be able to get to the Big 10 Championship but when you're looking at the four team format everyone knows and all the the media talk has been if anyone would benefit from a 12 team playoff it would be Penn State the the opportunity is here now and this fan base is hungry for more we want more than 10 and two 10 and two is what we've got 10 and two should net you a playoff Earth and it's there for the taking so we got to make sure that we get it this year so to me it's it's playoff robust now is it just making the playoff or winning that playoff game to get into the round two I think obviously would love you know want to get that first one but I think first step is is getting in the door to be able to provide or prove that hey you can get over that hump because I think even if I look at it the with Franklin not being able to win the big games I think even if I look at it this year even if we beat Ohio State but were to trip up elsewhere and miss the playoff I think that's still a failure for this year so if you can beat Ohio State and make the playoff that's phenomenal but I think definitely getting into the playoff has got to be the got to be the mindset gotta be the goal yeah that's I was I was gonna be the de down year but that was that's my mindset going into this year is make the playoffs if we win fantastic but we are loaded up for next year and I'm more thinking of next year the run that we can potentially make I I know that's stupid to do in a 2024 preview but I think we're the goal is to make college football playoff hopefully get a team a match up that we can possibly get into the final get into the next round but I think that yeah this is the year to get into the college football playoff get experience and then next year is the the run for sure you know what I take my back I want to get in the playoff and get a dub I'm not satisfied we're just getting in I want D baby it I don't want to just T it depends on the matchup I mean if we get [ __ ] like you know if we get like a 10 seat or an 11 seat or something like that and to face like you know decent power five opponent that kind of suck but yeah obviously I want the dub but December white out sounds like pure Bliss give me that playoff home game baby oh that yeah that I didn't think about that that would be a ler now I think about it if we make if we get a home game in the college football playoff we're winning that game if it's a night game if it's a night game Fox will probably make it a new game so yeah well guess what our expectations has changed from making the playoffs to winning a playoff game hopefully getting HomeField advantage and we'll see what happens we'll clip this save it for I actually have it written down so we'll come back to it at the end of the season hopefully not with our tail between our legs and thank you all if you tuned in this far thank you so much if you could toss a subscribe on YouTube shoot us a rating on whatever podcast platform you're listening on we really appreciate you tuning in this far as always we cannot thank you guys enough for the support on the shop on social media just on everything we absolutely love doing this we can go another probably hour talking about pen St football and it's just you know a blessing that two and I get to talk about one of the things that they're really passionate about so thank you guys really appreciate it year four baby here we go let's go looking for a big year and we'll be back next week for the big old West Virginia round two matchup in morgant town baby let's go [Music]