Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1499919
2 4 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M W ith six starters returning from a Penn State offense that totaled 448 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in a 35-21 win over Utah in the Rose Bowl, third-year coordinator Mike Yurcich has plenty of talent at his disposal in 2023. That said, he also has a few important question marks to answer. Here's a look at how each of the Nittany Lions' of- fensive position groups came through spring practice: QUARTERBACK: Sophomore Drew Allar will most likely be the starter here when all is said and done. That's been the expectation ever since Sean Clifford rode off into the sunset with a 279-yard passing per- formance against the Utes. However, Yurcich and head coach James Franklin were adamant throughout spring drills that redshirt freshman Beau Pribula will have a significant role this fall, most likely one designed take advantage of his speed and athleticism. Both quarterbacks compiled modest statistics in the Blue-White Game; Allar threw for 202 yards playing exclusively for the starter-laden Blue team, while Pribula finished with 92 yards on an afternoon in which he saw action for both squads. The end result appears to be that the starting job is still Allar's to lose, just as it's been all along. RUNNING BACK: The most notable development at this position group occurred away from the prac- tice field when Penn State landed a com- mitment in early April from Minnesota running back Trey Potts. A redshirt se- nior and Williamsport, Pa., native, Potts is set to arrive sometime before pre- season camp and will provide immediate backfield depth behind star sophomores Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Potts rushed for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Gophers. He could also help out on kick- off and punt returns at Penn State. WIDE RECEIVER: Questions linger at this position group. Fourth-year junior KeAndre Lambert-Smith and redshirt sophomore Harrison Wallace III sepa- rated themselves from the pack, but the identity of Penn State's third starting receiver is very much up in the air. Sophomore Omari Evans was the leading receiver in the Blue-White Game, totaling 5 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. He could be the answer. So, too, could redshirt freshman Kaden Saunders or junior Malik McClain. Consistency moving forward will be key for all, though, especially now that redshirt se- nior Dante Cephas has arrived from Kent State. TIGHT END: Penn State's top two returnees here, juniors Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, both missed spring practice. Warren was injured, while Johnson is facing a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an alleged altercation at a fraternity house in February. Warren is expected to be back in action when the team reconvenes for preseason practice. Johnson's status has not yet been addressed by the coaching staff. With that pair sidelined, tight ends coach Ty Howle got a long look at his other options. Redshirt sophomore Khalil Dinkins flashed in practice and had 2 catches for 14 yards in the Blue-White Game. January enrollee Joey Schlaffer also had a catch (for 4 yards) in the spring game. Redshirt freshman Jerry Cross still appears to be making up for all the time he lost last fall due to an injury. OFFENSIVE LINE: Assistant coach Phil Trautwein should feel good about his group coming out of spring ball, but the Nittany Lions do have a big question at right tackle, where redshirt senior Cae- dan Wallace is trying to fend off sophomore Drew Shelton. Whichever player ends up losing that battle may have to serve as the backup at both tackle spots if a fourth game-ready option isn't found. Junior NFL prospect Olumuyiwa Fashanu has the left tackle position locked down. On the interior, redshirt sophomore left guard Landon Tengwall returned for spring practice after an injury forced him to miss the final eight games of the 2022 season. Redshirt senior Sal Wormley will start on the right side, and super senior Hunter Nourzad appears to have made a smooth transition from guard to center. By all accounts, it was a productive spring for this bunch, and the depth looks good, too. ■ PARTS AND LABOR Penn State has some — but not all — of the pieces in place to field a potent offense this fall 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 BWI's Unofficial PSU Offensive Depth Chart LEFT TACKLE No. Name Elig. Ht. Wt. 74 Olumuyiwa Fashanu Jr. 6-6 323 66 Drew Shelton So. 6-5 300 LEFT GUARD 58 Landon Tengwall R-So. 6-6 314 56 JB Nelson R-Jr. 6-5 330 CENTER 64 Hunter Nourzad R-Sr.+ 6-3 312 66 Nick Dawkins R-Jr. 6-4 319 RIGHT GUARD 77 Sal Wormley R-Sr. 6-3 313 71 Vega Ioane R-Fr. 6-4 352 RIGHT TACKLE 73 Caedan Wallace R-Sr. 6-5 328 or 66 Drew Shelton R-So. 6-5 300 TIGHT END 84 Theo Johnson Jr. 6-6 256 44 Tyler Warren Jr. 6-6 254 WIDE RECEIVER 1 KeAndre Lambert-Smith Jr. 6-1 184 2 Liam Clifford R-So. 6-1 196 WIDE RECEIVER 6 Harrison Wallace III R-So. 6-1 196 11 Malik McClain Jr. 6-4 202 or 7 Kaden Saunders R-Fr. 5-10 172 WIDE RECEIVER 5 Omari Evans So. 6-0 189 or — Dante Cephas R-Sr. 6-0 180 QUARTERBACK 15 Drew Allar So. 6-5 242 9 Beau Pribula R-Fr. 6-2 206 RUNNING BACK 10 Nicholas Singleton So. 6-0 228 13 Kaytron Allen So. 5-11 218 Sophomore receiver Omari Evans scored the only touchdown of the Blue- White Game. He finished with a game-high 5 catches for 80 yards. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE