Hopes are sky high entering the season for Penn State’s offense, a unit which, on paper, ranks among the nation’s best.
The Nittany Lions feature continuity in the backfield and in the trenches paired with new receivers across the board as the Nittany Lions look to improve in the passing game and create a two-dimensional offense for the first time in years.
Here’s an overview of the offense heading into 2025.
QUARTERBACKS
Drew Allar returns for his senior season and third year as Penn State’s starter, looking to take another jump forward in his second year under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who reportedly had opportunities elsewhere this offseason.
In their first year together, Allar elevated his completion rate from 59.9% to 65.5%, a sizable jump that tied for the second highest single-season mark in program history.
Now, Allar won’t have to learn a new scheme and can focus on honing his skills while building chemistry with a trio of new wideouts.
Behind Allar, redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik and redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer are locked in a battle for QB2, with the winner in the driver’s seat to start in 2026.
Smolik is coming off a major leg injury, while Grunkemeyer was able to get QB2 reps as a freshman last season. Head coach James Franklin said the team is “close” to naming a starter, but the two have been back and forth throughout fall camp.
RUNNING BACKS
For the fourth consecutive season, it’ll be Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen getting the lion’s share of carries. The two running backs are coming off 1,000-yard seasons and will look to repeat that under new running backs coach Stan Drayton, who arrives in Happy Valley with an impressive resume, having coached Bijan Robinson and Ezekiel Elliot at previous stops.
Behind the two proven commodities, redshirt freshman Corey Smith seems to be taking control of the RB3 role, an important battle to set the stage for 2026.
“Yeah, he’s the most elusive back in the room,” Drayton said. “I mean, he can make you miss in a phone booth.”
Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace are other running backs fighting for playing time this season who may see some action throughout the first three games.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Penn State lost Harrison Wallace III to Ole Miss, Omari Evans to Washington and Julian Fleming to graduation, leaving Liam Clifford as the only returning receiver with starting experience.
To compensate, the Nittany Lions brought in three highly touted transfers: Kyron Hudson from USC, Trebor Pena from Syracuse and Devonte Ross from Troy. All three are expected to start, with Hudson and Ross on the outside and Pena in the slot.
Hudson has seemingly established himself as the top target throughout camp, despite having the lowest production of the three at his previous school. He’s proven himself as a reliable target, with one of the lowest drop rates in the country last season.
Pena comes from a pass-heavy Orange offense where he eclipsed 900 receiving yards. He may take a step back this season in a run-oriented offense, but he’s shown an ability to get open, providing a safety blanket for Allar.
Though small in stature, Ross has elite speed and quick footwork, allowing him to take the top off a defense.
Behind the trio of newcomers, Clifford should see some burn in the slot. Redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark and freshman Koby Howard have impressed throughout the offseason and could see sizable playing time as well.
“(Denmark is), more developed, already 190-something pounds,” Franklin said this spring. “Strong in the weight room, explosive, he’s a little more refined in those areas.”
TIGHT ENDS
Replicating the production of Tyler Warren is a Herculean task, but the Nittany Lions may be able to replace him in the aggregate.
Khalil Dinkins is the veteran of the group and expected to take over as the starter. He’s been praised for his blocking abilities, but he’ll have to take strides in the receiving game this season.
Behind Dinkins, redshirt sophomore Andrew Rappleyea, who missed last season with injury, and sophomore Luke Reynolds are battling for the TE2 position.
Rappleyea missed spring practices but has been fully available for fall camp and has returned with an eagerness to get back into the swing of things.
“He wants to just keep jumping in the front of the line and getting more reps, which I appreciate the motivation to want to do that and get better,” Kotelincki said. “As soon as he was able to walk and move, he literally wanted to jump into drills.”
Franklin said at Big Ten media days he expects all three tight ends to be productive for Penn State this season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Penn State returns five offensive linemen with at least five games of starting experience, including left tackle Drew Shelton, left guard Vega Ioane, center Nick Dawkins and right tackles Anthony Donkoh and Nolan Rucci.
Donkoh was the starter until sustaining an injury against Illinois, when Rucci took over and played exceptionally throughout the postseason. With both players healthy, they’re locked in a battle to take the reins in 2025.
Franklin said Donkoh could kick in to right guard if Rucci wins the job, which is the one spot on the line without a returning starter. However, Franklin said sophomore Cooper Cousins and Texas A&M transfer TJ Shanahan are also pushing for that role.
Redshirt sophomores J’ven Williams and Alex Birchmeier, who ranked as two of the top recruits in the 2023 class, are also waiting in the wings and should factor into the two-deep.
Regardless of how things pan out, Penn State has plenty of depth at the position and could challenge for the Joe Moore award this season.
