Spring ball is well underway for Penn State football. Here’s what we saw at Tuesday’s practice
Penn State opened up its spring practice to the media for the second time this year Tuesday night, with an extended viewing window at the action inside Holuba Hall.
Here are notes and observations from inside the practice facility.
What we saw from the offense
- Penn State should have one of the best offensive lines in the country this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Cooper Cousins is a major part of that group. He moves really well for someone listed at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. It’s clear that he’s going to be an asset when he’s moving in space as a puller, and should help spring some big runs for the Nittany Lions this year.
- He could get reps at guard or center this year, but it’s clear he’s one of the team’s best six linemen and will be pushing his way closer to the top of the list as the offseason goes on.
- Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are going to be two of the biggest beneficiaries of that offensive line group, with both set to have big seasons. Neither needs a ton of work this spring because they’re proven commodities, but they were both getting work in during drills. Singleton has improved as a receiver in his time as a Nittany Lion, but Allen still stands out in that regard. He’s sudden as a route runner, which is especially impressive because of his size.
- Speaking of moving well, quarterback Jaxon Smolik was moving well making throws on rollouts. He suffered a long-term injury last year but looks to be fighting to regain his spot ahead of redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
- Wide receiver Kyron Hudson looks like a starting Big Ten receiver physically, and moves like one too. He’s not a burner, but there’s enough speed there to win on occasion and he has the savvy and quickness as a route runner to get separation from defensive backs.
- Freshman receiver Matt Outten continues to impress with his size and strength. The finer points of his game need refinement, but it will be easy for fans to dream on his upside as an offensive weapon.
- Devonte Ross’ quickness was apparent again in drills. His quickness is going to be a problem for opposing defenses, and he’ll be another player for offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to scheme up touches for.
- Freshman receiver Lyrick Samuel made an impressive acrobatic catch in red zone 1-on-1s. There’s a lot of upside for wide receivers coach Marques Hagans to work with there, but he’s still likely a year or two away from really contributing.
- Kaden Saunders looks healthy and like a player who’s ready to fulfill some of the upside he joined the program with as a high-level recruit at receiver. He’s physical for a slot receiver and doesn’t look like he lost any of his quickness or speed despite adding strength.
- Just to mention him, because he is the star quarterback, Drew Allar is moving really well and continues to throw the ball at a high level.
- Offensive tackles Anthony Donkoh and Nolan Rucci were not seen at practice, same as last week.
What we saw from the defense
- A.J. Harris was becoming one of the best corners in the country last season and he looks like a player on a mission to rise even higher in that regard. He’s a good athlete, but wins with physicality and intelligence, running routes before opposing receivers can to beat them tot heir spot. He’s going to be a key part of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense this season and should be one of the best in the country at corner.
- Linebacker Lavar Arrington II went viral on social media last week because he’s taking over the No. 11 from Abdul Carter — the number Arrington’s dad wore when he was at Penn State — but there’s some refinement necessary with his game. He should get plenty of time with strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey, which should help him gain the weight he needs to succeed in college. He’s a very good athlete who could benefit from some added flexibility down the road.
- Fellow freshman Daryus Dixson should also improve with more time with Losey. His hips are a little stiff right now, and that allows receivers to beat him with quickness. That being said, the tools are there with his length and size for him to be a quality corner at Penn State.
- Safety King Mack was not seen at practice, leaving Zakee Wheatley, Dejuan Lane and Kolin Dinkins as the first three safeties up in drills. It remains to be seen where the team’s fifth defensive back will come from, but Wheatley is a near lock to start, as is Harris. That leaves the last three spots to some combination of, in all likelihood, Elliot Washington II, Audavion Collins, Mack and Lane.
- Linebacker Keon Wylie showed good bend during drills. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he got a good number of pass rushing reps this season because of his athleticism and ability to win on the edge.
- Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton was not seen at practice, nor was linebacker Tony Rojas. Regardless of the reason for their absence at that time, those two are not players necessarily in need of big-time reps during spring ball.
Jon Sauber
Centre Daily Times