Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1400830
4 0 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M BY GREG PICKEL | GPIC92@GMAIL.COM P enn State inked its most recent top- five class a few cycles ago, and it was filled with high school stand- outs who would end up making a big impact in blue and white, as well as some misses. Of the 23 players the Nittany Li- ons signed, 11 are still on the team. Two players medically retired, while three of the 10 who are gone now play in the NFL. Here's a look at what the group has ac- complished so far: Nana Asiedu, OT Before he even arrived at Penn State, Asiedu's career abruptly ended due to a condition called hypertrophic cardio- myopathy. He is still a member of the program in an off-field role. Judge Culpeper, DE The scout team's Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman, Culpepper played in 22 games, totaling seven tackles and a sack. He transferred to Toledo fol- lowing the 2020 season. Jahan Dotson, WR Dotson had career-highs in catches (52), yards (884) and touchdowns (eight) in 2020, which curiously led only to third-team All-Big Ten honors but an honorable mention All-America nod from Phil Steele. He is expected to lead the Lions' offense this fall and has career marks of 1,575 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Bryce Effner, OT Primed for a bigger role this year, Ef- fner has worked diligently to learn all five offensive line positions so he can fill a need at a moment's notice. He has ap- peared in 12 games so far. Pat Freiermuth, TE Now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Freiermuth thrived in blue and white. The two-time All-American and team captain is the only Lion to ever win the Big Ten Tight End of the Year award and owns the program's position record for most career touchdown catches with 16. He posted a career line of 92 catches for 1,185 yards in three seasons. Daniel George, WR George owns a Penn State record with his 95-yard touchdown catch against Kent State in 2018, the longest play from scrimmage in the program's history. He has 18 career catches for 285 yards and aims for a bigger role in 2021. Trent Gordon, CB Gordon made 21 tackles in his career at Penn State before leaving the program after three games last fall. He later trans- ferred to Arkansas. Aeneas Hawkins, DT Hawkins has appeared in only two games so far, but he's primed for a big- ger role in 2021. He was twice named the developmental squad's Defensive Player of the Week last year. Isaiah Humphries, S Humphries left Penn State after the 2018 season, transferring to Cal. Charlie Katshir, LB Injuries have stymied Katshir's time in blue and white, but he was productive when healthy in 2019 and could see ac- tion at inside or outside linebacker this fall while also contributing on special teams. Zack Kuntz, TE Kuntz caught one pass with the Lions and played mostly on special teams in 2020 before transferring to Old Domin- ion this past offseason. Will Levis, QB Used essentially as a running back, Levis recorded more career rushing yards (473) than passing yards (102) during his time at Penn State but did start two games under center. He transferred to Kentucky ahead of the 2021 season. Jesse Luketa, LB A team captain in 2020, Luketa could see action at linebacker and on the de- fensive line this fall. He has 90 career tackles, including 59 stops last season, and a fumble recovery. Jordan Miner, CB Miner announced in August 2018 that he was retiring from football due to a heart condition. Jahan Dotson had 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 2020, all career-best figures. He has caught a pass in 29 consecutive games for the Nittany Lions, dating back to the 2018 season. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS COMING ON STRONG Top-five class showing that it's professional-grade Class of 2018 REVIEW