By Kyle Golik
It was a spring game unlike any other for Penn State. Beaver Stadium was in full blown construction mode as there wasn’t access to nearly half the stadium. The game was not televised or broadcasted, it truly was an event that you had to be there for.
Blue defeated White 10-8, don’t let the score sway you in any direction. It was the first time James Franklin’s team was able to play inside Beaver Stadium in 2025, something Franklin alluded to in the postgame as the team typically practices inside the stadium once a week during spring practice.
Here are five key takeaways from Penn State’s annual spring showdown.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
No. 1: Availability Is Best Ability for RBs
One of the first key observations was how explosive Nick Singleton was in the seven-on-seven drills to open the annual spring contest. While Singleton was blown down a few times by the coaches, his burst and ability to get to the next level was at his personal best.
Redshirt freshman Quinton Martin had Blue’s lone touchdown on the day and looked ready to push for snaps during the season.
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Redshirt sophomore Cam Wallace returned to practice last week, according to Franklin, and did some individual workouts.
Each missed significant time last season and the axiom of “availability is the best ability” will again reign supreme on this unit.
The other key observation is true freshman Tikey Hayes, who many insiders feel has a high ceiling as a three-star prospect, had a few good rips when the spring game moved to full contact in the second half.
Overall, Penn State is about five or six backs deep when you include Kaytron Allen and redshirt freshman Corey Smith. Keep an eye on this group. Depending on the pending House v. NCAA ruling, no immediate cuts and an eventual 105-man roster would be a boon for Penn State. If cuts have to happen, it will be interesting for the Nittany Lions’ roster management.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
No. 2: ‘Linebacker U’ Is Looking for Help
The biggest bombshell to come from Penn State’s Spring Game is Franklin commenting about his concern at the linebacker positions
“I think we’re in good shape, but there’s some concerns there,” Franklin said. “We lost a guy that we didn’t anticipate losing.”
You could argue they lost two guys they didn’t anticipate losing when Kobe King, who opted for the NFL Draft instead of returning for a senior season, and Ta’mere Robinson, who entered the transfer portal moving to in-conference foe USC as his destination, has made the room thin.
It did not help that Tony Rojas was still rehabbing an injury. While LaVar Arrington II had a few good plays, including a pass defense of Singleton on a key third down to force a field goal in the first quarter, and Anthony Speca had great spring games, Franklin still feels they need to look into the portal for a linebacker.
“If there’s a linebacker out there that wants to come and be a part of our program and play for LBU, the most historic linebacker program in the history of college football, there’s an opportunity here to join the room and compete,” Franklin said. “I think we’ve got enough in the room, but to get through an entire season, if we get some injuries, it could get challenging. So we’re gonna look at the portal, see if we can find a solution.”
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
No. 3: Introduction of ‘Jax Pack’
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki loves to mix it up with designed quarterback runs. Both Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jaxon Smolik look to be in a dead heat to back up Drew Allar.
If one thing stood out above any between the two, it was Smolik to be able to run the ball on those runs, very reminiscent of what Beau Pribula did for Penn State prior to entering the transfer portal during Penn State’s College Football Playoff run last season.
Smolik had a few shifty runs during the seven-on-seven, no contact, and contact sessions of the Spring Game. I fully expect Penn State to leverage this scheme during the regular season based on the number of times this was emphasized and executed during the game.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
No. 4: Disrupting EDGEs
As Dani Dennis-Sutton ascends to replace Abdul Carter, the depth beyond Dennis-Sutton looked impressive considering the restrictions of the Spring Game.
Transfer Enai White had a few good looks during the non-contact session with many expecting White to occupy the opposite side of Dennis-Sutton.
Pushing White will be a pair of redshirt freshmen who shined during the contact sessions. Max Granville, who participated during the CFP run after graduating high school early, was a huge disruptor during the session. Granville is up 15 pounds from a season ago and is looking far bigger.
Jaylen Harvey also played the majority of the second half and looks to force his time for some first-team reps. Harvey was excellent in hand combat and was trying to develop a stronger first step. His point of attack looked stronger as the game wore on in the second. Harvey had the looks as a fast riser after the game.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
No. 5: The Wide Receivers are Alright
The biggest drum many were beating after last season was the poor play at wide receiver that culminated in a zero-reception effort in the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame.
While the passing game wasn’t on full display, the receivers look more competent and deeper than a season ago. Transfers DeVonte Ross and Kyron Hudson looked the part in seven-on-seven and non-contact sessions.
The breakout star was true freshman Lyrick Samuel, who caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Smolik, and redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark looked impressive gaining separation and crisp route running.
The biggest news entering the Spring Game was that Trebor Pena committed to Penn State. This gives Penn State a whole new cast at wide receiver. Franklin declined to comment on the Pena commitment but did add that the summer can allow the passing game to develop.
“The nice thing is you can get a ton of work done in the passing game over the summer. It’s hard to really work on the running game,” he said. “But the passing game, you can throw on air, you can do one-on-ones, you can do seven-on-seven. There’s a ton of work you can get done.”
