Penn State Sports Magazine
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J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 6 3 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Penn State got some answers this spring, but it didn't solve all of its most pressing questions. There are still plenty of unknowns heading into the summer months, and their resolution will likely have to wait until preseason camp, if not the season itself. Here's a look at what remains to be worked out. 1. How will reps shake out between James Peoples and Quin- ton Martin Jr.? The top rung of Penn State's depth chart at running back appears largely settled. Senior Carson Hansen, an Iowa State transfer, will get the nod. However, Matt Campbell said with respect to the running backs that Penn State will "need all of them." A committee approach, in whatever form it eventually takes, should be expected. What that might look like in practice is hard to say. Penn State brought in junior James Peoples from Ohio State, and it retained redshirt sophomore Quinton Martin Jr. The latter looked good in the Blue-White Practice, but that was just a snapshot from spring drills. Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and run- ning backs coach Savon Huggins will have to find a way to strike a delicate balance with three viable ball carriers on the roster and redshirt junior Cam Wallace also vying for reps. For reference, Kaytron Allen finished with 441 reps over 12 games last season, compared to 359 for Nicholas Singleton. Mar- tin was next with 52, while Corey Smith had 30, Wallace 15 and Tikey Hayes 10. At Iowa State last season, Hansen finished with 448 reps, fol- lowed by Abu Sama with 294 and Dylan Lee with 64. In an offense with two established receivers and as many as three proven tight ends, it may prove difficult to create plentiful opportunities for both Peoples and Martin if Hansen holds the top spot. And if that's the case, who becomes the odd man out? There is recent history under Campbell to consider, however, in which Nos. 2 and 3 at the position were not far apart. During Iowa State's 2024 season, Mouser leaned on Sama and Jaylon Jackson with a 302/233 rep split and a 124/93 split for carries. If it's worth it and the talent gap isn't substantial enough, the same could work for Penn State this fall. 2. Who will emerge as the third receiver … and does it matter? Same concept as above, applied to the receiver position. If the spring demonstrated that redshirt senior Chase Sowell and junior Brett Eskildsen are the "top two receivers," as Campbell la- beled them, then where do the Nittany Lions turn for No. 3? The hints suggest the role belongs to sophomore returnee Koby Howard, as long as his offseason development continues on its current trajectory. But at Iowa State, Campbell and Mouser showed a willingness to involve a broader group, with tight ends heavily featured in the passing game last year. The position group as a whole has ample opportunity to assert itself this season. A question outlined by Campbell from the start, however, will only be answered through production and execution on the field. "I feel like there's competition there," Campbell said. "How does that competition evolve? Who comes out of it? What is their top- end ability?" 3. Will Dominic Rulli challenge Brock Riker at center? At the start of spring practice, Campbell said Penn State boasted "great competition at center." The players in question: redshirt se- nior Dominic Rulli, a former walk-on who paid his dues at PSU and has worked his way up to a prominent spot on the depth chart, and Texas State transfer Brock Riker, a rising star heading into his redshirt sophomore season. An injury prevented Rulli's participation this spring, leaving Campbell to say the "biggest thing for Dom is getting healthy," with preseason camp expected to be where "some of these com- petitions will start to unfold." Coming out of spring practice, the question is whether that dynamic remains. Riker impressed throughout the spring. But at a position that often reveals itself in critical moments over the course of a season, Penn State appears to have one remaining spot along the offensive line that still requires resolution. 4. How will the defensive line fill out? Half of the defensive front appears to be a strong bet, with red- shirt seniors Ikenna Ezeogu and Keanu Williams trending toward starting roles at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively. The other half remains unsettled. Or so it would seem. Super senior Siale Taupaki, a UCLA transfer, appears to be a logi- cal pairing alongside Williams, but redshirt sophomore Armstrong Nnodim, formerly of Oklahoma State, impressed throughout the spring. Will that competition extend into preseason camp? And how much will it matter if defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe leans into a deep rotation? At defensive end, Ezeogu's transition from Iowa State to Penn State under coordinator D'Anton Lynn looks well underway, and to great impact. But questions remain as redshirt sophomore Max Granville continues to work his way back from injuries — first from a torn ACL last May, and then a back issue this offseason — while sophomores Alex McPherson and Yvan Kemajou are in the same pool of talented but comparatively inexperienced players. — Nate Bauer Quinton Martin Jr. will vie with projected starter Carson Hansen and Ohio State transfer James Peoples for carries in a crowded Penn State backfield. PHOTO BY THOMAS FRANK CARR Penn State's Biggest Unanswered Questions