3 Penn State buy or sell picks as the Lions enter week three of preseason camp

Penn State football is 16 days into preseason camp. Plenty has been said about the first 15 days of practices on the road to West Virginia . Head coach James Franklin likes the physicality his players have put on display so far but wants to see more consistency from the offense and the defense. Coaches and players on both sides of the ball have pointed out improvements in the receivers room. And position battles are starting to come into focus. There is still much to learn about the Nittany Lions before they pack up and head to Morgantown later this month. We have found out plenty, though, following two weeks of work. What are we ready to buy or sell? It’s the topic of this week’s Friday Three.

Buy: The belief that Harrison “Trey” Wallace III can be the Lions’ No.1 receiver

Generally speaking, seeing will be believing with the Penn State offense under first-year coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Plenty of plaudits have been shared this month about how the attack looks with second-year quarterback Drew Allar at the helm. There have also been some concerns about inconsistency. When you put the two together, there is no other way to look at it but through the lens of judging it once words turn into action, for better or worse. From a specific player standpoint, though, I’m willing to buy in now under the belief that what we hear is what we’ll see when it comes to the play of redshirt sophomore Harrison “Trey” Wallace III on game day. He has flashed on numerous occasions over the past two seasons. He has also missed time due to injury, with 2023 being the most impacted season so far.

Now healthy and working under a play caller who promises to maximize each individual’s strengths, the proverbial arrow is pointing up for Wallace III’s outlook in 2024. You’ve heard Kotelnicki and Franklin talk about his go-to abilities. You’ve read about his consistency, in a good way, via Nate Bauer’s recent camp stock report . And soon enough, you’ll see it on the field against a live opponent.

Down the road, it could end up being foolish to have bought in on anything with the receivers room before the first snap. But, I’m willing to do so with the Alabama native.

Sell: Little talk about the offensive line means there are no reasons to be concerned

There are plenty of things to knock from the James Franklin era. But, is there a bigger positive to point out in a progression sense than the fact that Penn State must replace three starting offensive linemen in 2024, and yet hardly anyone is talking about it as if it’s a concern? Three years ago, let alone 10, that would be inconceivable. Fast forward to now, though, and there have been few words expensed on needing a new right and left tackle plus a new first-teamer at center.

Granted, our staff of writers here has made note of it and some on the Lions Den message board have, as well. But if you talk to most fans, you’d have to get through at least five talking points related to other parts of the offense before arriving at the offensive line. Don’t take relative silence as a guarantee that all will work out, though.

Projected right tackle Anthony Donkoh has dealt with bumps and bruises both in the spring and in preseason camp. He remains the leader but is also locked into a position battle with first-year Nittany Lion Nolan Rucci . At left tackle Drew Shelton leads the way, and the same goes for Nick Dawkins at center, and others will play inside Both are becoming the guy at their respective position for the first time. Early returns are solid, but protection still remains something to keep a close eye on in Morgantown and beyond until the results indicate that all will be well.

Buy: The 2024 Penn State defense will be good enough to win with in 2024

As Nate wrote in his aforementioned stock report, Penn State has some dudes on defense this year despite losing a number of starters. While depth at some spots, particularly defensive end and linebacker, remains a question, first-year coordinator Tom Allen’s defense will use a lot of 4-2-5 looks, which mostly alleviates the concerns at linebacker.

Abdul Carter is receiving preseason All-American nods as he readies to play both defensive end and linebacker. Sophomore Tony Rojas is a breakout candidate at linebacker, and inside linebacker Kobe King has made strong progress this offseason. Three safeties — KJ Winston Jr. , Jaylen Reed , and Zakee Wheatley — will have things locked down on the backend of Allen’s unit. And, believe it or not, cornerback could be better this fall if positive practice progress reporters on newcomers AJ Harris and Jalen Kimber and second-year Nittany Lion Audavion Collins carry over to game day to match what the Lions return there.

Will the final statistical numbers be as gaudy as they were a year ago? Maybe not. That is a high bar to match. But will they be good enough to take Penn State where it wants to go, which is a College Football Playoff entrance, and then a win once there? We’re buying that.

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