Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
2 8 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M behind the top offensive line as a mem- ber of the Blue squad. Singleton and Allen handled most of the work in the first half. During the sec- ond half, both teams ran infrequently, so it would be hard to say who had the bet- ter day overall. Martin had a very good run to the edge that was called back by a holding penalty. Both players had im- pressive runs up the middle. Martin made a full-contact collision with linebacker Kari Jackson near the goal line that netted him just a few yards but looked good from a mentality per- spective. Smith had a similar type of run, meeting safety Antoine Belgrave- Shorter at the line of scrimmage with low pads to deliver a strike. While both run- ners showed the correct mentality, nei- ther was effective in breaking the tackle and getting extra yards. Wide Receiver Penn State is dangerously low on X receivers based on body type and skill set. Beyond redshirt senior Kyron Hud- son, who will be the starter this fall after transferring from USC, redshirt junior Anthony Ivey was the only veteran to receive any meaningful playing time at the position in the Blue-White Game, seeing action on 15 snaps. True freshman Matt Outten got 25 reps on the White squad but looked very raw and not ready for prime time. In truth, redshirt senior Liam Clifford is probably the emergency backup if something happens to Hudson. It's also clear that Penn State has a glut of slot and Z-style receivers who are creating competition and log jams on the roster. With redshirt senior transfer Trebor Pena sliding into the slot com- petition this summer, there is even more downward pressure on redshirt fresh- man Tyseer Denmark and true freshman Koby Howard. Could either Denmark or Howard play X? Penn State may tinker with their fit once Pena confirms that he belongs atop the depth chart. At the Z position, true freshman Lyrick Samuel is still too lean and raw to play in 2025, but he flashed potential during the Blue-White Game. He had several good catches, including a contested catch- and-run in which he beat likely starting cornerback Elliott Washington II in the first quarter. Washington went for the ball, and Samuel was able to reach out and secure the catch, maintain his con- centration and then spin off contact for extra yards. He followed with another catch over Washington, who lost him in zone coverage for a 42-yard touchdown. Tight End Two key contributors — sophomore Luke Reynolds and redshirt sophomore Andrew Rappleyea — missed the spring game with injuries, as did five-star true freshman Andrew Olesh. And yet, the game was revealing in that it offered a window into the development of another true freshman, Brian Kor- tovich. It appears that Penn State found another good one in the 6-4, 226-pound Ohioan. Kortovich played a quasi-re- ceiver role in high school but took to tight end very well in the spring game, seeing 35 snaps, the most of any tight end. He played the inline Y role for most of his time on the White squad and was asked to block defensive ends regularly. Kortovich didn't win every rep, but he fought hard on each of them and, most times, at least forced a draw. From a per- ception standpoint, he's the third guy in a three-man class, but he absolutely belongs in the room. Offensive Line There's no better place to start than on the right side of the Blue team's offensive line, where J'ven Williams' ascendence was on full display. Franklin singled out the redshirt sophomore tackle on sev- eral occasions this spring, and the hype looked real in the Blue-White Game, es- pecially during the second-half live reps. Williams is starting to live up to his five-star potential. After several years in the weight room to increase his base- line strength, the 6-5, 315-pounder has become a force in the run game. He ex- ploded off the line on one particular rep inside the red zone. The force of his block knocked defensive tackle De'Andre Cook out of his gap and into the second level. It even dislodged right guard Cooper Cousins for a moment. While that progress is exciting in itself, Williams' pass protection is his most no- table improvement. Seeing him in ex- tended action — he was on the field for 42 snaps, more than any other lineman — it's clear that another piece of the of- fense has come online for the fall. Cousins also looked impressive in his 40 reps. Not to call out Cook, but he was pancaked by the sophomore right guard on a running play. Cousins lost his ini- tial surge, gained it back, then buried the redshirt freshman defensive tackle. Coming out of spring practice, Penn State has reason to feel good about its depth at tackle — so good, in fact, that it doesn't make much sense to bury Wil- liams on the depth chart when redshirt senior Nolan Rucci and redshirt sopho- more Anthony Donkoh return from in- juries. Once the team has the resources, Williams should get reps inside with the guards. His power and explosive move- ment skills will be an asset at any posi- tion in an offense that wants to play fast. Redshirt sophomore lineman J'ven Williams enjoyed a breakthrough spring and is viewed as a rising star on PSU's offensive front. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS