Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544665
M A Y 2 0 2 6 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M redshirt senior Chase Sowell and junior Brett Eskildsen at receiver, redshirt senior Gabe Burkle and redshirt junior Andrew Rappleyea at tight end, redshirt soph- omore Max Granville and super senior Siale Taupaki on the defensive line, and redshirt senior Jeremiah Cooper at safety. All are expected back by the start of pre- season camp in late July. But on the final day of spring practice, none were healthy enough to participate in the live work that comprised the latter portion of the event. There is legitimate intrigue, particu- larly at receiver, where sophomore Koby Howard, redshirt freshmen Zay Robinson and Karon Brookins and true freshman Amarion Jackson are competing for op- portunities. Similar questions exist across the roster. Still, the available tape offers limited value as an evaluation tool for Penn State's coaching staff. As is standard, an officiating crew was present to oversee both seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 periods. But their presence was hardly noticeable. Penalties were scarce, with the crew throwing just one flag, a pass interference call on senior de- fensive back Zion Tracy during 11-on-11 work. That allowed Campbell to leave with a positive assessment. Penn State played a clean scrimmage, largely avoiding the pre- and post-snap mistakes that often signal a lack of discipline. "You've got to have some precision and attention to detail about yourself, espe- cially in this kind of weather," Campbell said. "To be honest, it was great to watch our guys execute out there. "I thought we threw and caught the ball pretty well, had the ability to function on special teams really well, and showed the discipline to handle the moment today. I thought that was a great opportunity for us to at least see where our growth and maturity are." Having complete answers on both sides of the ball may be a stretch for this pieced- together Penn State roster entering the 2026 season. But the goal of winter work- outs and spring practice was to establish a framework, one built on cohesion, clarity and shared expectations. Given the con- ditions, the Blue-White Practice was a solid showing. ■ PRACTICE RECAP HIGHS & LOWS PLAYER OF THE GAME Will it matter in the fall? Penn State is probably hoping not, but the effort in the rain by senior quarterback Connor Barry reinforced a theme that has carried through the spring. If the Nittany Lions were to find themselves without redshirt senior Rocco Becht and redshirt freshman Alex Manske, both of whom were recovering from injuries this spring, Barry showed he can operate the offense well enough to avoid disaster. In the reality of a roster pieced together during December and January, that's a win if a potential third-string signal-caller is forced into meaningful snaps. PLAY OF THE GAME One of just two offensive touchdowns in live 11-on-11 work, Barry's connection with redshirt freshman tight end Brian Kortovich required precision. Risky? Probably. But in a setting short on explosive plays — especially through the air in the downpour — it stood out. BEST PASS In conditions that didn't favor the passing game, Barry's throw to Kortovich was the clear choice. BEST RUN With true freshman Peyton Falzone at quarterback, Penn State experienced some of its best and worst sequences in quick succession. First, junior running back James Peoples broke free through the middle of the defense for a 20-yard gain into plus territory. As for the worst sequence … BEST EFFORT A lowlight for the offense, Falzone's screen pass intended for Peoples was jumped by freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas, who intercepted it and was untouched on his dash into the north end zone. BEST CATCH In seven-on-seven action, Becht connected with redshirt freshman re- ceiver Zay Robinson for a touchdown. BEST SACK Senior defensive back Zion Tracy pulled up before reach- ing true freshman quarterback Kase Evans. Tracy had a clear path and could have delivered a big hit under normal game circumstances. BEST KICK Redshirt junior Ryan Barker was perfect, converting field goals of 39 and 28 yards — a stan- dard Penn State fans have come to expect, even in the rain. Sophomore punter Nathan Tiyce, an Australian who transferred from Mississippi State, also impressed. His first punt of the scrimmage trav- eled 50 yards and was downed at the 2-yard line. BEST DECISION With his offense in danger of stalling in the low red zone, coordinator Taylor Mouser put the ball in Barry's hands. The quarterback rewarded that trust, patiently navigating a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line for a touch- down. MOST TELLING MOMENT It didn't show up inside Beaver Stadium, but the drive along Park Avenue offered a familiar reminder. The intramural fields were packed with cars and tailgates. Even dreary weather couldn't dampen enthusiasm for an event that, for Penn State fans, rarely loses its appeal. — Nate Bauer Senior Connor Barry wrapped up spring practice with a solid performance in the team's open scrimmage. His touchdown pass to tight end Brian Kortovich was one of the afternoon's offensive highlights. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL