Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1276571
7eld safety position and the nickel spot in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, as well as the Sam OLB position in a base 4-3-4 set. At 6-2, 210 pounds, with reported 4.55-second 40-yard speed, Dixon is one of the best pure athletes on Penn State's roster. The linebacker group as a whole should prove to be one of Penn State's biggest assets this season. "We've recruited there as well as any position on the team," James Franklin said. "You think about having Parsons and Katshir, that's going to be a really nice combination if that's how it plays out at the Will OLB spot. "Brooks and Luketa at the Mike line- backer spot, we feel damn good about those guys. And then, at the 7eld back- ers, the Sam, you talk about Smith and Dixon. That's a really a good group that we feel good about." On offense, there are as many as seven redshirt and true freshmen who will have an opportunity to make an impact this season, possibly as part of Penn State's two-deep at their respec- tive positions. That list includes Holmes at running back, along with re- ceivers John Dunmore, T.J. Jones, Ke- Andre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington, and linemen Sal Wormley and Caedan Wallace. Holmes, a January enrollee, was listed at 6-0, 190 pounds when he signed with Penn State in December, but coming out of winter workouts he weighed 208, and he's at 215 on the most recent roster. I believe he has a chance to see playing time at running back, and also to replace K.J. Hamler as Penn State's No. 1 kicko8 returner. Holmes impressed Brown when the two got together over the winter to work out. "I remember I was in Holuba, I was working out by myself, getting extra work, and I was walking out," Brown re- called. "I got into Lasch and I see him walking into Holuba. I said, 'Hey, what are you doing?' He said, 'I'm gonna get some extra work in.' And I'm leaving, I'm done. I said, 'I'll go with you.' "So I put my cleats back on and we're talking, getting to know each other, sharing our stories. He's telling me the love he has for his grandma, and I'm telling him the love I have for mine. He's a track guy, loved running track. So did I. So we're more alike than I thought. I've grown on that kid, I have a lot of love for him, and it's only been so many days. I can't wait to get back with him and work with him and help make him into the back he wants to be." At wide receiver, the Lions are going to have little choice but to rely on fresh- men. Junior Jahan Dotson is the only re- turning player with more than a dozen career catches, and 7ve of Penn State's scholarship wideouts – Lambert-Smith, Washington, Jaden Dottin, Malick Meiga and Norval Black – will be competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level for the 7rst time. Two others – Dunmore and Jones – have only one game of colle- giate experience apiece and have yet to make their 7rst catch. This might surprise some readers, but I 7rmly believe that Lambert-Smith could be the freshman-eligible player who ends up having the biggest impact on the team this season. He was an early enrollee in January, and he received more than his share of compliments from players and coaches during winter workouts. At Maury High in Norfolk, Va., Lambert-Smith enjoyed three 1,000-yard seasons. He also ran a 3.83- second 20-yard shuttle time at The Opening last July. That's Hamler-level quickness and speed. To sum it all up, if there's a College Football Playo8 this season, I believe Penn State has a legitimate chance to be there. The one extra ingredient that may turn that hope into a reality is the possi- ble emergence of several redshirt fresh- men and true freshmen. Those players have the potential to provide the Nittany Lions with the depth they will need to reach the CFP for the 7rst time in their history. ■ SURE-HANDED Jones is one of six freshman- eligible wide receivers who will be looking to give Penn State's pass- ing game a lift this coming season. Photo by Ryan Sny- der