Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1476228
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 3 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Caziah Holmes | RB | After rushing for 227 yards and 2 touch- downs in nine games as a true fresh- man, Holmes surprisingly took a red- shirt in 2021. He did see action in three games, gaining 27 yards on 5 attempts, but now finds himself fighting for carries in a backfield that had added significant depth with the arrival of freshmen Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen this offsea- son. The coaches are eager for someone to break out here, but Holmes may have an uphill battle on his hands. Golden Israel-Achumba | OG | Israel-Achumba has played in just one game over two seasons. He projects as a backup guard and perhaps a special teams player in 2022. Coziah Izzard | DT | Izzard started seven games and played in all 13 in 2021. He finished with 21 tack- les, 2 sacks and a forced fumble after play- ing in just one game as a true freshman. Regardless of whether he wins a starting job this fall, Izzard will see plenty of play- ing time. Curtis Jacobs | OLB | Penn State expects Jacobs to be its top linebacker this year after he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten status in 2021 by making 61 tackles (7 for loss), netting 3 sacks and recording an inter- ception. He has played in 20 games with 11 starts in his career. Enzo Jennings | S | Jennings played in one game during the 2020 season and saw no action a year ago. He entered the transfer portal in December. Theo Johnson | TE | Johnson started six games a year ago and made 19 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown. He hopes to have a more prominent role this fall while shar- ing time with redshirt junior Brenton Strange and sophomore Tyler Warren. Joseph Johnson | CB | Johnson transferred to Campbell before the 2021 season. However, he is no longer a part of the Camels' program and doesn't appear to be on any college football roster this fall. KeAndre Lambert-Smith | WR | Lambert-Smith enjoyed his best season to date in 2021, when he totaled 34 catches for 521 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has started 18 games in his two seasons in the program and is expected to join classmate Parker Washington and transfer Mitchell Tinsley in the starting wideout corps this fall. Keyvone Lee | RB | Lee rushed for 530 yards and 2 touch- downs, while making four starts and play- ing in all 13 games a year ago. He figures to start out the 2022 season as the top Penn State running back, but will be pushed by junior Devyn Ford and newcomers Single- ton and Allen for the top spot. Malick Meiga | WR | Meiga has long been talked about as a standout practice player. Now, the Nit- tany Lions will be counting on him to per- form on game day. In 2021, Meiga netted 3 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown after missing the team's first six games due to an injury. Bryce Mostella | DE | Mostella left the program before the 2022 season and no longer appears to be playing college football. He didn't see any game action in his two seasons at PSU. Fatorma Mulbah | DT | Mulbah made positive strides in 2021, posting 4 tackles in six games. He figures to be a backup defensive tackle in 2022 Brandon Taylor | DE | Taylor was removed from the roster in September 2021 for violating team rules. He entered the transfer portal but has not yet found a new home. Ibrahim Traore | OT | Traore has yet to take a snap for the Nit- tany Lions. He could receive special teams work this year but still appears ticketed for a reserve role at tackle. Amin Vanover | DE | Vanover has played in eight games over two seasons and has 4 tackles to his name. Unless he makes a splash during preseason camp, he'll be a reserve again in 2022. Tyler Warren | TE | Warren lined up as both a wildcat quar- terback and tight end in 2021, scoring twice on the ground and also catching a touchdown pass. He is expected to have an expansive role this year for the Lions. Parker Washington | WR | Washington was a freshman All-Amer- ican in 2020 and built on that effort by posting 64 catches for 820 yards and 5 touchdowns last fall to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Fo- cus. He is in line to become senior quarter- back Sean Clifford's top target in 2022. ■ Top Contributor To Date S Ji'Ayir Brown: This honor could easily rest with receiver Parker Washington by the end of the season. For now, though, Brown is the choice after his standout 2021 season. Expect both players to be team leaders this fall. Unsung Hero TE Tyler Warren: When Will Levis left for Kentucky, Penn State needed a willing and able big man who could run the ball from time to time on direct snaps. Warren had played quarterback in high school and filled the role well on sneaks last fall. Now, he'll look for more playing time at his regular position. Ready To Make An Impact This Fall WRs KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Malick Meiga: Penn State will need both of these pass catchers to take a major step forward this fall. Here's betting that they're both ready to do so. R E P O R T C A R D : Players In Class: 27 On3 Team Ranking: No. 14 Players Still At Penn State: 20 Many players take their biggest step forward in Year 3. This group needs many players — Lambert- Smith, Meiga, Lee, Jacobs, Izzard, and Elsdon — to do exactly that. Penn State needs to see more pro- duction out of this class in 2022. B-