Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / T H E B I G P I C T U R E / / / / / / / serve up nine consecutive Big Ten foes. The Nittany Lions have suffered more than their share of late-game heartbreak in recent years, so having one of college football's coolest customers orchestrating the offense is genuinely exciting. The big question PSU faces is whether it can prevent opposing quarterbacks from creating their own late-game magic. The Li- ons are getting set to take on two potential Heisman Trophy contenders in USC's Jayden Maiava and Washington's Demond Williams Jr., along with Michigan's presumably im- proved Bryce Underwood and Minnesota's underrated Drake Lindsey. That's concerning all by itself. Factor in the lack of proven edge rushers, and this becomes a real cause for alarm. It's the main reason I don't see PSU making the playoff in 2026. Prediction: 9-3 GREG PICKEL | STAFF WRITER Penn State is hardly the only team in col- lege football that is something of an un- known entering the 2026 season. But few of its peers at the Power Four level, and cer- tainly within the Big Ten, have as many new faces as the Lions do. The head coach, two of three coordinators, and starters at virtu- ally every key position will be in those roles for the first time in blue and white. Some — quarterback Rocco Becht, senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer, junior safety Marcus Neal Jr., and so on — have experience doing it at Iowa State. But, by and large, the Lions could be anything from a CFP lock to a team fight- ing for a bowl berth late in the year. With all that said, the schedule is favorable, and I trust Matt Campbell to put Penn State in playoff contention. But, in the end, I think it falls just short. Prediction: 9-3 RYAN SNYDER | RECRUITING REPORTER Penn State has one of the easiest slates in the Big Ten this season, but that doesn't mean this year's prediction is an easy one. Despite so much turnover, the Nittany Lions still have talent, but a few positions are short on depth. That's especially true at quarter- back. If the Lions lose Rocco Becht for any period of time, it could spell trouble. Penn State should be strong at linebacker and in the secondary, but it will also rely on multiple incoming transfers who have had limited success along its defensive front. This may be a breakout year, but until I see it, I have concerns there. A 10-win season is realistic on paper, but in- juries at a few key spots could bring 8-4 into play. I'll hedge and land in the middle. Prediction: 9-3 DEFENSE Defensive End 99 Yvan Kemajou So. 6-3 252 18 Max Granville R-So. 6-3 252 Defensive Tackle 92 Siale Taupaki R-Sr.+ 6-2 326 91 Armstrong Nnodim R-So. 6-2 310 Defensive Tackle 97 Keanu Williams R-Sr. 6-5 317 39 Ty Blanding R-Jr. 6-1 301 Five-Technique 33 Alexander McPherson So. 6-6 254 90 Liam Andrews R-So. 6-4 276 Defensive End 88 Ikenna Ezeogu R-Sr. 6-5 273 33 Alexander McPherson So. 6-6 254 Will Linebacker 13 Tony Rojas R-Jr. 6-2 236 25 Alex Tatsch So. 6-2 235 Mike Linebacker 8 Kooper Ebel Sr. 6-4 233 9 Cael Brezina Jr. 6-3 233 Sam Linebacker 10 Caleb Bacon R-Sr. 6-4 242 32 John Klosterman R-Sr. 5-11 223 Cornerback 2 Audavion Collins R-Sr. 5-11 183 20 Tyrell Chatman Fr. 6-2 196 Nickel 7 Zion Tracy Sr. 5-11 184 12 Xxavier Thomas R-Fr. 5-11 180 Safety 4 Jeremiah Cooper R-Sr. 6-0 188 3 Jamison Patton Sr. 6-2 206 Safety 31 Marcus Neal Jr. Jr. 6-1 216 27 Omarion Davis So. 5-11 198 Cornerback 5 Daryus Dixson So. 6-0 184 23 Jahmir Joseph R-Fr. 6-0 190 PROJECTED PENN STATE DEPTH CHART Placekicker 94 Ryan Barker R-Jr. 6-2 191 98 Matthew Parker R-Fr. 6-0 224 Kickoffs 95 Cristiano Rosa R-Sr. 5-11 205 98 or Matthew Parker R-Fr. 6-0 224 Punter 38 Nathan Tiyce So. 6-5 232 — or Lucas Tenbrock Fr. 6-6 210 Long Snapper 35 Blaise Sokach-Minnick R-Sr. 6-3 216 92 Andrew Dufault R-So. 6-1 249 Kickoff Returns 6 Koby Howard So. 5-11 203 21 or Carson Hansen Sr. 6-2 216 23 or James Peoples Jr. 5-10 214 Punt Returns 7 Zion Tracy Sr. 5-11 184 OFFENSE Quarterback 3 Rocco Becht R-Sr. 6-1 208 7 Alex Manske R-Fr. 6-3 210 17 or Connor Barry Sr. 6-1 211 Running Back 21 Carson Hansen Sr. 6-2 216 23 James Peoples Jr. 5-10 214 25 or Quinton Martin Jr. R-So. 6-1 212 X Wide Receiver 0 Chase Sowell R-Sr. 6-3 203 8 Karon Brookins R-Fr. 6-5 205 Z Wide Receiver 4 Brett Eskildsen Jr. 6-1 198 19 Amarion Jackson Fr. 6-2 192 F/Slot Wide Receiver 6 Koby Howard So. 5-11 203 2 Zay Robinson R-Fr. 5-11 186 Tight End 18 Benjamin Brahmer Sr. 6-7 250 84 Gabe Burkle R-Sr. 6-6 247 F Tight End 87 Andrew Rappleyea R-Jr. 6-4 242 80 Cooper Alexander R-So. 6-4 241 Left Tackle 78 Malachi Goodman R-Fr. 6-6 330 77 Owen Aliciene R-Fr. 6-7 303 Left Guard 70 Trevor Buhr R-Jr. 6-4 318 66 Will Tompkins R-Fr. 6-5 311 Center 51 Brock Riker R-So. 6-4 291 52 Dominic Rulli R-Sr. 6-3 298 Right Guard 50 Cooper Cousins Jr. 6-6 320 55 Chimdy Onoh R-Jr. 6-5 320 Right Tackle 68 Anthony Donkoh R-Jr. 6-5 334 71 Garrett Sexton R-So. 6-6 315 SPECIAL TEAMS