Trimmings: Checking in on Penn State’s expected redshirts on offense
The bye week is a great time to check in on some players that we won’t see on the field for Penn State this year as true freshmen. So far, four Nittany Lions have burned their redshirts and those are expected to play an increased role as the year continues. There are a couple on the fence after playing in multiple games in September, but those plans still seem up in the air.
We reached out to contacts for an update on the Class of 2023, which runs the full spectrum from guys on the verge of playing to automatic redshirts. Here’s a look at the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
Iowa native Jaxon Smolik drew praise in camp for his early work. His reps naturally scaled back as Drew Allar and Beau Pribula sorted out their pseudo-quarterback battle. As the Nittany Lions entered game prep, that continued. Smolik’s approach has been impressive, though. He’s still picking up the nuances of the offense and how to play the position at the next level, but there have been some promising signs so far. Obviously the Nittany Lions would prefer not to see how game-ready he is, but Smolik has thrown well and keeps the questions coming for Mike Yurcich and Danny O’Brien.
Running Back
It was a mild surprise when neither Cam Wallace nor London Montgomery played against Delaware in favor of Tank Smith and Tyler Holzworth. It was a healthy program move to get the veterans some reps, but selfishly we wanted to see what the young guys could do. Regardless, we may get a chance to see at least Wallace next weekend against Massachusetts if the circumstances are right. He’s ahead of Montgomery now and a contact highlighted a very good set of practices through the bye for Wallace. He’s a tough runner with some plus speed for the position and he’s also shown some good things as a receiver. Wallace has been coming on lately and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him play some special teams over the second half of the season. The redshirt isn’t in question, but he’s pushing to get some sort of time. Montgomery has a high football IQ but hasn’t been as dynamic as Wallace. A focused offseason will do him well with the strength staff. This group will have freshmen nipping on their heels come January.
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver Carmelo Taylor has done some nice things in practice when we have been there, but it’s been a process. Taylor came in as a boom-or-bust guy and it’s been a process to put everything together. It was a big jump for Taylor from high school in terms of work habits and focus and that’s been the focus of the staff. He’s responded well, and he has a bunch of talent, but he’s not close to breaking through at this point. His speed shows up on the field, but he’ll deal with the consistency issues that young receivers have.
Offensive Line
We’ll leave out J’Ven Williams and Anthony Donkoh for now, as Penn State is still on the fence about how much they’ll play this year. As we saw in 2022, those are spots where freshmen need to be ready and the Nittany Lions want to cultivate depth down the stretch. We do expect redshirts for Alex Birchmeier and Chimdy Onoh, however. Both are a fair distance behind the aforementioned Williams and Donkoh. Birchmeier, who came in with high expectations, has been a constant on the D squad so far and hasn’t gotten into a game. He needs a year to reshape and build up in the lower body. He moved back inside before the season and his future remains at guard or center and has work to do with technique as well. Onoh is as raw as advertised. He’s done some nice things in flashes, but he’s about as far along as a guy who flipped from Old Dominion late would be. Good size, great length, but another guy who could use a year or two.
Tight End
Penn State has really been impressed with Andrew Rappleyea so far at tight end. He has been on the fence in terms of burning that redshirt, but so far he’s just played in one game. Most of that has to do with what’s in front of him at the position. He’s caught the ball well and is coming along as a blocker. He’s mostly been in the varsity group at practice but has bounced to the D squad at times. He was there this week imitating Ohio State’s Cade Stover. The Nittany Lions are excited about his future. If there’s movement in the room following the year, Rappleyea could certainly push for a spot next season. Freshman Joey Schlaffer is a physical project. He’s about where we expected him to be in year one. He’ll need an offseason to continue to add size and strength. Schlaffer is one of those converted high school wideouts who will need time to develop into a college tight end.
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