Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
6 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / 2 0 2 6 F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / W hen Keanu Williams entered the transfer portal in Janu- ary, new Penn State defen- sive line coach Ikaika Malloe didn't waste any time making a phone call. For Williams, who grew up in Clo- vis, Calif., the voice on the other end of the line was familiar. Their connection stretched back years, well before either one arrived in State College. A former Oregon Duck turned UCLA Bruin, Williams is now preparing for one final collegiate season as a Nittany Lion, bringing experience and lead- ership to a defensive front that needs both. It's why Williams was one of Mal- loe's top targets. "My relationship with Coach Malloe started in high school. He was at the University of Washington at the time, and he recruited me a little bit there," W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Defensive tackle Keanu Williams ventures far from home for his final year of college football The Road The Road Less Traveled Less Traveled Williams decided to play his final season of college football at Penn State after he was granted a medical waiver by the NCAA. He is expected to start at defensive tackle this fall. PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS RYAN SNYDER | RYAN.SNYDER@ON3.COM