Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
3 2 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 A t the Blue-White Game in April, Penn State fans got their first look at some of the Nittany Li- ons' newest players. One of those players — true freshman wide receiver Lyrick Samuel — scored the game's only receiving touchdown when he caught a 42-yard pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Jaxon Smolik. Even before the spring game, BWI was receiving intel about the progress of Penn State's true freshman class. Sixteen of the 28 players in the Lions' 2025 recruiting class arrived ahead of the spring semester and participated in the team's offseason drills. Here's a snapshot of the early feedback on PSU's freshmen, along with an assessment of which players we may be seeing on Sat- urdays this fall. OFFENSE OW E N A L I C I E N E OT | 6 - 7 | 2 7 5 After an early commitment and a quiet recruiting process, Aliciene joined the Nittany Lions during their practice sessions for the College Football Play- off. He's started to fill out his nearly 6-foot-8 frame and moved up in the tackle rotation this spring due to inju- ries. Why he'll play: Program sources have raved about Aliciene. He moves very well for his size and has put in the work to keep making gains. The Lions are confident he'll factor into the tackle discussion in coming years. Why he'll redshirt: Although the feedback has been good so far, it's worth keeping perspective on how this one will likely play out. Redshirt sophomore Anthony Donkoh, redshirt senior No- lan Rucci and redshirt freshman Eagan Boyer will all be back this season, which means it's likely that Aliciene will be be- hind those three, plus returning senior starter Drew Shelton and redshirt fresh- man Garrett Sexton. Aliciene will need to develop over the next year and hit the ground running as a redshirt freshman. T I K E Y H AY E S R B | 5 - 1 1 | 2 0 5 One of the initial buzz guys from the Freshman Freshman Forecast Forecast Early enrollees make an impression during Penn State's spring practice sessions S E A N F I T Z | S E A N . F I T Z @ O N 3 . C O M Wide receiver Lyrick Samuel caught the only touchdown pass of the Blue-White Game, a 42-yarder from Jaxon Smolik. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS