Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1519242
M A Y 2 0 2 4 2 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M and 12 yards in the Blue-White Game, and he seems destined to force his way onto the field this fall. Kotelnicki is no doubt eager to see how he can use Singleton, Allen, Wallace and Martin in his offense. Wide Receiver A year ago, there were many questions coming out of spring practice about the readiness of this position group. Not much has changed in the past 12 months. The receivers are still the scrutinized players on the offense. Super senior KeAndre Lambert-Smith did not play in the Blue-White Game and entered the transfer portal three days later. His exit will thrust redshirt junior Harrison Wallace III into an even bigger role. After missing five games last year, Wallace will be looking to show that he can stay healthy enough to become the consistent threat Penn State needs at wideout. He was the leading receiver in the Blue-White Game with 5 catches for 72 yards, so that's an encouraging sign. Redshirt junior Liam Clifford and red- shirt sophomore Kaden Saunders both have slot abilities to replace Lambert- Smith. So, too, does senior Julian Flem- ing, who can play inside and out. Junior Omari Evans flashed during the Blue- White Game, pulling in a nice catch for a 20-yard gain. The problem here, just as it was a year ago, is that there's no evidence this group can perform consistently. Franklin is con- vinced that talent is not an issue, but we still need to see it translate into produc- tivity on Saturdays. Until that happens, the receivers will be a question mark. Tight End Senior Tyler Warren received a well- deserved rest on Blue-White Saturday. He showcased his skills more than suffi- ciently in the practice sessions leading up to the game and is ready to be the leader of this position group in 2024. "Ty is a very well-rounded player in the run game, in the pass game and on special teams," Franklin said. "He's played a little wildcat quarterback in the past, so he's done a ton of different things. It's just [a matter of] continuing to improve all those things." The questions here do not relate to Warren. He is a proven commodity who knows how to thrive in the running game as a blocker and find the end zone in the passing game as a receiver. But how is the rest of the depth chart shaping up? By seniority, redshirt junior Khalil Dinkins is the first man up, and he looked good during open practices. But one might have expected to hear more about him this spring, and by and large, we did not. Penn State has typically used two or three tight ends in every game, so Dinkins will have a role. But the shape of the depth chart beyond Warren might just depend on redshirt freshman Andrew Rappleyea. He has all the talent in the world, as evi- denced by his 30-yard touchdown catch in the Blue-White Game. His challenge this year will be to show his skills more consistently. He can change this offense by himself, but he has to earn it. January enrollee Luke Reynolds may also find his way onto the field, though it's likely he will play in four games while pre- serving his freshman eligibility in 2025. Offensive Line Junior Drew Shelton missed all of spring practice following offseason sur- gery, but he's still the favorite to succeed All-American Olumuyiwa Fashanu at left tackle. Considering how many first- team reps he's received during the past two seasons, Shelton's absence wasn't an insurmountable problem. Even so, Penn State certainly didn't want to have him on the shelf for the first four months of the year. The one silver lining is that the Lions were able to get redshirt freshman J'ven Williams plenty of work should he be needed. At the opposite tackle spot, redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh continues to project as the starter, even though he missed the Blue-White Game with an undisclosed injury. Donkoh's absence al- lowed redshirt junior Nolan Rucci to get plenty of work in his first spring with the Lions after transferring from Wisconsin. Inside, redshirt senior Nick Dawkins has seemingly fended off true freshman Cooper Cousins for the starting center spot. At guard, super senior Sal Wormley and redshirt sophomore Olaivavega Io- ane are first up for now, with redshirt se- nior JB Nelson, who can play inside and out, sidelined for part of spring drills. They will be pushed by Cousins. But, all told, it was a good spring for the big men up front who have big shoes to fill. ■ With potential starter Anthony Donkoh injured, redshirt junior Nolan Rucci got plenty of work at right tackle in the Blue- White Game. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL