Five Penn State sophomores who could push for playing time

The Penn State Class of 2023 might be vastly underrated in our conversation about the program’s future. Thanks to three five-star players in 2022, the rising junior class takes the headlines as the group that will power Penn State’s ascendence into the College Football Playoff.

But quietly, four players from 2023 are poised to leap into vital roles for the team: Tony Rojas, Andrew Rappleyea, Anthony Donkoh, and Jamieal Lyons. Could any other players join them? Here’s a list of players we want to learn more about because they have the skills to be, or the opportunity to be in the conversation

Penn State tackle depth: J’ven Williams

Penn State’s five-star offensive lineman was going to take some time to develop. While J’ven Williams had all the physical tools of a superstar offensive lineman, he was raw, especially as a pass protector, coming out of Wyomissing High School. Head coach James Franklin gave us a clue that he’s progressed well during his first year and a half on campus.

“But I also think J’Ven [Williams] has played well enough in practice that he should get time too,” Franklin said in June “We’d like to be able to get him some legitimate reps, as long as things all sit the way they are now. It could become even more competitive during training camp and be more of a split but J’Ven’s done enough that we need to get him some experience as well.”

Penn State safeties in focus: DaKarri Nelson

King Mack would have been at the top of this list thanks to his great blend of football intelligence and aggressiveness. But now that he’s moved on, the team would be better off finding a fourth safety. Yes, they can make do with three and backfill the Lion position with slot corners, but the defense would have more flexibility and options if one of the team’s young defenders took a step.

From a physical standpoint, DaKarri Nelson has always been a player who could contribute early, thanks to his size and good movement skills. But processing the game might be his biggest hurdle. When I spoke to Nelson before signing day in 2023, he admitted that he didn’t get into the habit of watching film as a high school player.

It’s not a big deal, but it does set a baseline for his understanding of the game coming to Penn State. Safety is a hard position where players need to be on every detail because the offense throws everything from the run game to the passing game, RPOs, and everything in between at the two men in the middle of the secondary. Finding out where Nelson stands on this journey as a student of the game will help inform his opportunity to see snaps this fall.

Lamont Payne

On the flip side of that equation is former cornerback Lamont Payne. The 6-0 defensive back flashed early in his Penn State career with physicality and tenacity as an early enrollee last spring. But with the depth ahead of him, few snaps were available during the 2023 season. Payne worked this offseason to transform his body, and it paid off. He was one of the most notable different players this off-season at the annual Lift for Life event in June. Head coach James Franklin mentioned his progress during the early stages of spring football.

“Payne has had as good of an off-season as maybe anybody in our programs. He has had a really nice off-season,” he said.

If Payne can blend his football IQ and anticipation with his new 196-pound frame, he might have a chance to steal some snaps at the field safety position vacated by Mack. It would be shocking for him to earn a full-blown rotational role, but any amount of playing time would be valuable to understand his future skills.

Tyriq Blanding

It’s hard to stand out in Penn State’s crowded defenisve tackle room. It’s especially hard when you have a similar skill set and arrive a year after standout defender Zane Durant. But at 6-1, 286 pounds, Ty Blanding has steadily put himself in position to be a player down the road.

The intriguing aspect of Blanding’s build is that while he’s a shorter defensive tackle, he’s blessed with the all-important reach gene. His 33-inch arms are well above average for his build and put him squarely in the strike zone for a quality interior defender.

But how have his skills progressed? He dominated the Blue Team offensive line during the Blue-White Game and flashed some dominant hands in the process. It wouldn’t be shocking to hear that he’s a standout player in camp this fall who angles for playing time in non-conference games. While he doesn’t fit the list from an opportunity standpoint, he’s high on my radar for players who could pop up in conversation this fall.

Zion Tracy

Penn State makes a point of identifying young defensive backs with the potential to be future starters and giving them time early in their careers to help them transition into the role. Two years ago, that player was Kalen King. Next came Cam Miller, and last season, it was Zion Tracy.

But unlike the transition for those other defensive backs, Tracy faces a much more crowded field of players to compete with for playing time. Transfers Audavion Collins, AJ Harris, and Jalen Kimber will all fight with Tracy and Miller for starting snaps at cornerback. Beyond that, Jon Mitchell and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter look promising as early enrollees.

So, will Tracy’s year in the system, plus his impressive physical tools, give him a leg up in the competition? He’s blazingly fast and showed that he’s a willing tackler last year, but his instincts, physicality, and ball production are all unknowns. Competition breeds excellence, and the rising talent tide in the cornerback room may elevate Tracy, or some another player, to new heights in 2024.

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