Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1476228
3 8 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Penn State's 2021 class has already offered glimpses of its considerable potential P enn State had high hopes that its 2021 recruiting class contained some high school players who were ready to hit the field immediately. Only a few in the On3 Consensus No. 19 class nationally ended up doing that, but the group is expected to play a big- ger role in the team's fortunes this com- ing fall. What's more, the players who did see time last fall are now poised to use that experience to better the team on offense and defense in 2022, and there is a spe- cialist in the group who is looking to find a regular role in Year 2. Here's what the Penn State Class of 2021 has achieved so far: OL Nate Bruce | Bruce enrolled early at Penn State but left the program before preseason camp began last August. He is expected to play at Lackawanna College this fall. Jamari Buddin | LB | Buddin played in only four games last season, but he showed flashes of poten- tial. James Franklin said the coaching staff even considered burning Buddin's redshirt by playing him in the Outback Bowl before ultimately opting to preserve his freshman eligibility. It would be sur- prising if he didn't see a significant role this fall. Liam Clifford | WR | Clifford redshirted last season. The younger brother of sixth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford, he is angling to take his first college snaps in 2022. Jeffrey Davis Jr. | CB | Davis didn't see any game action as a true freshman. He's aiming to change that this fall. Khalil Dinkins | TE | Dinkins did not play last season but was twice named the scout team's of- fensive player of the week, earning the honor from Penn State's coaching staff in October and again in November. He is behind a crowded room of veteran tight ends entering the 2022 season. Kalen King | CB | King was one of the class's immediate standouts last season. He showed strong ball skills and plenty of poise, finishing his freshman season with 23 tackles, 5 pass breakups and a forced fumble while playing in 13 games and starting one. With Tariq Castro-Fields off to the NFL, King will be a first-team cornerback in 2022. Kobe King | ILB | The twin brother of Kalen King, Kobe is battling sophomore Tyler Elsdon this August for the starting middle linebacker job. Like his fellow Michigan prospect Buddin, King played in four games last fall and was under consideration for a spot in the Outback Bowl two-deep be- fore the coaching staff opted to hold him out to preserve his freshman eligibility. He finished his true freshman season with 3 tackles but will be a key contribu- G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G. P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Growing Season Class of 2021 REVIEW After coming on strong toward the end of his true freshman season, versatile offensive lineman Landon Tengwall is favored to fill one of the Nittany Lions' two vacancies at guard this fall. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL