How did Penn State football look at Blue-White Practice? Here’s everything you missed
Penn State opened up its 15th and final spring practice of 2026 Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium for Blue-White Practice, which featured drills open to the public and differed from the usual scrimmage.
No official attendance was announced, but the crowd was sparse due to unseasonably cool temperatures in the 50s coupled with steady rain and drizzle.
Here are our notes, takeaways and observations from the afternoon.
Offense
- Quarterback Rocco Becht got some work in during 7-on-7s and looked the part of the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback. He was generally on the mark on his throws and was able to operate despite rainy conditions that made practice difficult for everyone involved.
- QB Connor Barry was up after Becht and continued his impressive spring performance. He was accurate in short and intermediate areas, often making the right decisions and getting the ball out on time. That being said, he’s several notches below Becht as a passer, and had to put in maximum effort to get the ball where he needed it on intermediate passes.
- Freshman QBs Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans also got some reps, with the former struggling at times. He’s an excellent athlete, but has a long way to go to make an impact as a passer. His best position in the long run is, in all likelihood, going to be tight end rather than quarterback.
- Carson Hansen was the first running back up and moved well during practice. He has a little more wiggle to his game than his size should dictate, but he’s still not going to stun anyone with his speed. He’s a reliable back who can play on all three downs — and the same is true of James Peoples, who is a solid all-around back. Quinton Martin Jr. remains the best athlete of the bunch but needs to work on staying low as a runner and gaining additional strength.
- WRs Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen have been limited all spring, but that opened the door for Koby Howard and Karon Brookins to step into bigger roles. While Sowell and Eskildsen are the top two on the depth chart, the two young receivers will have a chance to make an impact this fall.
- Even without Andrew Rappleyea, who missed the spring with an injury, the tight end room looks like it should be elite. Ben Brahmer is an excellent pass-catcher but has added enough strength to potentially be viable as a blocker, while Cooper Alexander could work his way into having a role this season after getting reps this spring with Rappleyea and Gabe Burkle out at the position.
- The offensive line should be a strength of the team, and center Brock Riker could be a big part of that. He looks like he’s added weight, which was his biggest need after joining from an up-tempo Texas State offense. He, Trevor Buhr and Cooper Cousins should make up a strong interior, while Anthony Donkoh should anchor down the right side once he returns from injury. The left side remains an open question, but there are some quality candidates at the spot, including Owen Aliciene.
Defense
- There isn’t a position group on the team that looks more different compared to last year’s team than defensive tackle. This year’s group is gigantic and should help free up the team’s linebackers to make plays in the running game and passing game.
- DT Armstrong Nnodim stood out in one-on-one reps, using his elite strength to bully offensive linemen back into the center of the pocket. He’s going to have a role this year — and based on some of the jawing he did, he’s going to be one of the most vocal players on the field for the Nittany Lions.
- Siale Taupaki also stood out at defensive tackle thanks to his elite size and strength. He’s a veteran player who should make an impact in his final year of eligibility.
- True freshman Jackson Ford, a defensive end, had a few nice reps in the practice, crashing down to make stops against the run and winning a few impressive reps in one-on-ones that showed the pass-rush upside he has. While he’s not likely to make a massive impact this fall, he’s still one to watch down the road.
- Yvan Kemajou, who had flashes like that last year as a true freshman, appears to have taken another step forward as a defensive end. He had what would have been a sack in a rep if the action were live. He’s a powerful DE with very good athleticism who should be good against both the run and the pass this season. He’ll have a chance to be a game-changer for Penn State starting this year.
- Caleb Bacon is going to be a focal point of the defense at linebacker and has the athleticism and power to be a very good pass rusher if defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn decides to use him that way. He and LB Tony Rojas — who missed the spring as he recovers from a torn ACL — could be the best linebacker duo the program has had in a few years.
- That being said, Cael Brezina and Kooper Ebel are still highly likely to rotate in this fall and look like Big Ten linebackers who can contribute at a high level.
- The best defensive group on the team remains the corners, with Daryus Dixson and Audavion Collins starting on the outside. Dixson had a very good pass breakup against wide receiver Koby Howard on a ball that was well-placed by Becht. If there’s a player who can ascend into the upper echelon of college football at his position on this defense, it’s Dixson.
Jon Sauber
Centre Daily Times