Who are Penn State football’s 10 most likely breakout candidates? Here’s our list
Penn State is inching closer to Matt Campbell’s debut as head coach when it takes on Marshall on Sept. 5 in Beaver Stadium in the team’s season opener. As the countdown to his first game rolls along, we’ve taken a look at the most important players on both sides of the ball this season.
Now, let’s see who could be a breakout player for the Nittany Lions.
1. Left tackle Malachi Goodman
Goodman tops this list because he could prove to be a team-altering left tackle for Penn State. While it’s unfair to expect an Olu Fashanu-like leap into stardom, it’s also not impossible because his upside is that high. He’s likely going to start at left tackle, and from there the sky is the limit for the redshirt freshman offensive lineman who will be tasked with protecting quarterback Rocco Becht’s blind side.
2. Cornerback Daryus Dixson
Dixson was a quality rotation corner for Penn State in 2025, with two starts by the end of the season, but now it’s time for him to be the next great defensive back to play for assistant coach Terry Smith. Dixson has excellent length and size for the position — the kind of measurables that could allow him to shadow top receivers if need be. He’s already a good player, but greatness could be on the horizon if he takes the next step this season.
3. Defensive end Max Granville
Granville will be making a comeback from an injury that kept him out for 2025 as he tries to build off a strong true freshman season. He’s an excellent athlete who excels at getting after the quarterback, but will need to continue improving against the run to reach his full potential in this defense. If he does that, and takes another step as a pass rusher, then he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with up front.
4. Defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim
There might not be a stronger player on the roster than Nnodim, who has the power to be a real disruptor from the interior for the Nittany Lions. What he lacks in arm length he makes up for in explosion and use of leverage to get under his opponents pads and bench press them backward. He’s not necessarily going to rack up big-time stats this season, but he’s a people mover who could allow the rest of the defensive line to get theirs.
5. Wide receiver Koby Howard
Howard was widely projected to be a breakout candidate last season but it never came together as the team’s season unraveled. This year, he’s solidly in the WR3 conversation and will likely be the team’s starting slot receiver when it goes to 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end). He has the ability to be a contributor for the Nittany Lions and getting a consistent share of receiving targets would be a good first step.
6. Wide receiver Karon Brookins
Brookins is the other young receiver who will have a chance to see the field plenty this fall. He’s long and athletic at 6-foot-5, but moves very well in and out of cuts for someone at his size. He’s likely going to be a backup on the outside but should play plenty and will have a chance to make plays for Penn State this year. He has the build of a potential WR1 down the line if he stays on the path he’s on right now.
7. Cornerback Jahmir Joseph
Joseph was overshadowed by Dixson last season, but his play during the five games he participated in while redshirting should have fans excited about the future of the cornerback room. He’s a very good athlete who is good at tracking the ball and making plays on it in the air, and should end up being the top backup option on the outside behind Dixson and Audavion Collins this season.
8. Defensive lineman Liam Andrews
Andrews has dealt with injuries in his first two seasons at Penn State and has only played in four games, but he could be a versatile piece along the defensive front this year. He can play defensive tackle when the team goes to four down linemen, but can also kick out to defensive end in a three-man front. Andrews should be able to be disruptive from either spot in the front and could end up having a larger role than anticipated because of it.
9. Running back Quinton Martin Jr.
Martin is one of three running backs who will likely compete for carries in 2026 — alongside Carson Hansen and James Peoples — and will likely only have a smaller role to start. However, he has the most upside of the three and could end up being the team’s leading rusher if his Pinstripe Bowl performance in December is any indication. Martin had 20 carries for 103 yards in that game, giving fans a glimpse of what could be the team’s long-term starting running back.
10. Wide receiver Chase Sowell
Sowell might be an odd choice for a breakout candidate because he’s already been highly productive in his career, but this is about him taking the step from contributor to star at receiver. He has the ability to be a true No. 1 option on the outside — the type of player who changes the way a defense has to game plan. He needs to correct his occasional drop issues, but Sowell will have a chance to have a massive year in his final season of college football.
