Penn State is just under two months removed from its loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. But winter workouts are already in full swing as the program looks toward a 2025 season with national championship aspirations. On Thursday, the Nittany Lions opened their practice facilities to local media, who gained some offseason insight from strength coach Chuck Losey.
In a typical year, Losey would lead six to seven weeks of aggressive workouts before testing. But because of the season’s late conclusion and the two weeks of rest that followed it, Losey’s had just about a month of hardcore strength training in anticipation of spring practice, which is set to begin the last week of March.
Losey provided a handful of updates regarding the status of Penn State’s roster with under six months before the team begins its season against Nevada on Aug. 30. Here are the main takeaways from Losey’s availability.
NO SHORTAGE OF VETERAN LEADERSHIP
There’s one defining characteristic that has propelled the Nittany Lions into consideration for a national title next season: returning star power. Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren, two All-American selections and impending first-round NFL Draft selections, are out of the equation. But Penn State is far from empty handed when it comes to veteran leadership.
Losey has been “very impressed” with the “maturity, confidence” and “commanding” presence of senior quarterback Drew Allar. Nick Singleton, who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards alongside Kaytron Allen this past year, has been the team’s “model of consistency,” Losey said. And Allen has had “as good a winner as he’s ever had since he’s been on campus.”
Drew Shelton and Nick Dawkins were each acknowledged as the core leaders of the offensive line. And there’s been no shortage of standout defensive players, either. Losey said he expects defensive tackle Zane Durant to be an “even better version of who he was in 2024” while defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton has added a “layer of resilience” this winter.
Zakee Wheatley has blossomed into the “leader of the safety room, leader of the defense,” said Losey, who also acknowledged the work of linebacker Dominic DeLuca among a long list of players that included offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, tight end Luke Reynolds, cornerback Elliot Washington II and more.
NOTES ON TRANSFER ADDITIONS
Penn State added six transfers in the winter window: wide receivers Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC), defensive linemen Enai White (Texas A&M) and Owen Wafle (Michigan), offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. (Texas A&M) and safety King Mack (Alabama). All of them have been “outstanding,” Losey said, with a focus on the team’s new pass catchers.
“Ross has thrived in the program. He’s up 16 pounds right now. Very powerful for his size,” Losey said. “Hudson has a pro mentality. He’s got a vet presence, very mature, fluid, good football player.”
White has added 20 pounds since joining the Nittany Lions in January, now weighing close to 265 pounds. Losey said he’ll continue to work on Shanahan’s “composition reformation” — losing fat and adding muscle mass. Wafle has added 15 pounds in the past two months, and Mack, who rejoined Penn State after transferring to the Crimson Tide last spring, has been “awesome” since his return.
“His energy, his work ethic, it’s infectious to the rest of his team,” Losey said of Mack. “So, really happy to have him back.”
FRESHMAN RB STANDING OUT
There were 16 true freshmen who joined the Nittany Lions as early enrollees in January. And, so far, six have stood out to Losey among the rest: running back Tikey Hayes, tight end Andrew Olesh, wide receiver Koby Howard, cornerback Daryus Dixson, offensive lineman Michael Troutman III and defensive end Yvan Kemajou.
With Singleton and Allen set to depart after one final season in 2025, Hayes has impressed the coaching staff and presented himself as an early candidate to fill their shoes, alongside Quinton Martin Jr., Corey Smith and more, ahead of next fall. Keep an eye on the other names Losey mentioned, as well, with spring ball nearing.
“Tikey Hayes has been incredibly impressive so far,” Losey said. “He’s wired right. Everything he does is important to him.”
