Penn State hit the practice field for the eighth of 15 spring practices on Thursday morning, welcoming members of the media for an extended viewing session.
Several Nittany Lions returned to action, while a contingent of others remained out as the team continued to battle a plethora of lingering injuries.
A large group of recruits who made the trip lined the edges of the field, conversing with family members and coaches throughout the practice. Director of Talent Acquisition Alan Zemaitis roamed the field while talking on the phone, potentially with a recruit.
Quarterback Rocco Becht continued to lead the way for the quarterbacks but remained limited, dropping out midway through the session. His “blue, 80” cadence echoed across the field as he took snaps from Texas State transfer Brock Riker.
With presumptive backup Alex Manske still sidelined, Christopher Newport transfer Connor Barry took over with the first team toward the end. Quarterbacks Peyton Falzone, Kase Evans and Jack Lambert saw fewer reps but were also involved.
Getting first-team reps were wide receivers Koby Howard, Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, the latter two wearing non-contact jerseys while working back from injury. Wide receivers Zay Robinson, Karon Brookins and Peter Gonzalez (no-contact) made up the second team.
Iowa State transfer running back Carson Hansen, one of three running backs participating, saw first-team reps while James Peoples and Quinton Martin Jr. followed.
The tight end room was also short-staffed, with just Benjamin Brahmer, Cooper Alexander and Finn Furmanek as full participants. Gabe Burkle and Andrew Rappleyea will likely compete for starting roles when healthy, but they weren’t involved.
“Ben is full go, Ben has had a really good spring,” head coach Matt Campbell said after practice. “Honestly, this is the first offseason that Ben has truly had during this collegiate career. And I think you see it. He’s almost 258 right now, he’s as strong and physical as he’s been. And I really thought so far that he’s had a tremendous spring as a mover, as a point of attack football player.”
After individual drills, the offensive units met up and worked on a scripted drive, marching the ball downfield with a mix of run and pass plays with offensive coaches defending. Wide receivers coach Kashif Moore chirped with his receivers after incomplete passes, and they dished it back when making plays against him.
Though the offensive line group shuffled frequently, redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman saw reps at left tackle with the first team. Campbell reiterated that he feels 10 players are in contention for starting roles this fall.
“I don’t know if I could be any more impressed with what I’ve seen from that group,” Campbell said.
The defensive units went to work on the far side of the field, running through position drills with no contact. There was a primary focus on footwork, form and tackling against dummies or foam tires.
Campbell roamed the field quietly, pulling players aside and offering advice on technique as he made his rounds.
Linebacker Tony Rojas, cornerback Max Heffner, wide receiver Ethan Black and defensive tackle De’Andre Cook were suited up but continued doing rehab work off to the side.
The group transitioned to special teams work near the end of practice, while the team’s iconic Lion King remix blared over the speakers as punt coverage began. Around this time, former Nittany Lions Dom DeLuca, Riley Thompson and Tyler Duzansky came out to watch the end of practice as they continue preparation for the upcoming NFL draft.
