Penn State preseason camp kick-off week: Position groups to watch

Penn State football will officially open its preseason camp on Wednesday this week. And, with it, the countdown to one of the Nittany Lions’ most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory begins.

Boasting a roster featuring a returning starting quarterback, talented running backs and tight ends, tantalizing defensive ends, and what’s expected to be a strong set of safeties, the Nittany Lions appear to be well positioned to earn a first College Football Playoff berth. With analytics in line to match those expert expectations, Penn State must convert its strengths, and developmental needs, into success against the best teams on the schedule.

The arrival of camp now within reach, there are a handful of position groups that will be of particular interest to unlocking those goals. Here is our camp kick-off week look at the ones we’ll be watching closely:

Penn State preseason camp kick-off week: Position groups to watch

3. Penn State offensive line sets tone

The reasons for some combination of optimism and concern along the offensive line are plentiful as preseason camp kicks off at Penn State. The simplest reading for that has to do with three linemen selected in the NFL Draft for the first time since 1996 for the Nittany Lions, all of which is potentially offset by a returning group that still features experience, talent, and possibility.

In many ways, this isn’t about preseason competition. We’ve been consistent since the end of spring practice in identifying the trends, with Drew Shelton , Vega Ioane , Nick Dawkins , Sal Wormley , and Anthony Donkoh holding, at minimum, an edge in their respective battles through the summer. Dawkins will need to continue to hold off Cooper Cousins (of which there is ample “buzzworthy” evidence to suggest he will), and Donkoh will have his hands full with Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci , who has made significant gains in his time on Penn State’s campus.

There are less known quantities just under the surface that preseason camp should help illuminate, though.

Certainly, any amount of injury absence to J.B. Nelson , an experienced lineman with position flexibility, would be cause for concern. What about other depth? J’Ven Williams earned some words of praise from head coach James Franklin this summer.

For as much conversation and attention will rightfully be focused on Drew Allar and Penn State’s receivers, there is an underlying reality to acknowledge in the trenches. The Nittany Lion OL needs to deliver a top-end performance that is improved on last season if any of those other pieces are going to matter.

“It’s always the afterthought for people. It’s just the way it is,” said offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. “I played that position, so I get it. And that’s why I love that position. Our team will go as far as our offensive line will take us. And when you look at championship football teams, everyone will say it’s about the quarterback. Quarterbacks are good, but they all have great line play on both sides of the ball.

“I think we have that piece. That has to continue to develop as a group. But, it’s good.”

2. Cornerbacks can be elite

The inclusion of the corners in last week’s “Buzzworthy” shouldn’t be underappreciated. With Audavion Collins’ offseason narrative continuing in full, his development coinciding with an overall increasing confidence for the room is the kind of thing that can change Penn State’s defensive outlook for the season.

Because, even with Kalen King’s step back last year, the Peach Bowl served as an illustration that the status quo this offseason wasn’t going to cut it for Penn State this season. Already tasked with taking on a schedule that no longer exclusively features opponents who were physically unable to competently produce anything resembling a passing game, the Nittany Lions worked to improve the position’s competition by welcoming SEC-transfer corners A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber .

Joining a mix that includes the returns of Cam Miller, Elliot Washington, and Zion Tracy, plus freshmen Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, Jon Mitchell, and Kenny Woseley, there is a similar dynamic to the offensive line at play as preseason camp arrives. Beyond Miller, who has earned the confidence of Terry Smith and the program, camp represents an opportunity for assertiveness and a heavy dose of alpha from within the group.

Penn State has the depth and experience to be just fine at cornerback this season. Can they be a turnover-creating, difference-making component to Tom Allen ‘s defensive formula? The stage is set to find out.

1. Receivers hold key to Penn State offensive emergence

You thought it would be the tight ends, didn’t you? Easy mistake to make.

Allow me to beat the dead horse, but to do it with a bit of a twist. There have been plenty of “what-ifs” about this group that have broken up the summer as varying points of interest. Tyseer Denmark , Peter Gonzalez , Anthony Ivey and Tyler Johnson have all, at one point or another, captured imaginations. And, make no mistake, any emergence from that group would represent a welcome surprise to Penn State this preseason.

But, the “savior” storyline isn’t coming. And, when the conversation veers in that direction, it distracts from the reality of what Penn State is facing.

At the top of the pyramid, Kotelnicki is being counted upon to help this group. His confidence in their pending performances this offseason demonstrated that.

“I think I’ve said this publicly, but I’ve also said to the receivers. I said that I think they’ve unfairly become the brunt of the reason there was limited success, if you want to call that. Or there was a ceiling,” Kotelnicki said. “I think those guys are gonna really overachieve next year in everyone’s eyes. I feel confident saying that. So, that’s my evaluation of them, especially after being with them through spring. “

Why?

Because a healthy Trey Wallace can be quite good. Because Julian Fleming ‘s culture influence is as important as what he does on the field. And because Liam Clifford , Kaden Saunders , and Omari Evans have taken measured steps this offseason suggesting consistency is within reach.

Penn State is going to be, at minimum, fine at receiver this season. The Nittany Lions are going to need at least Wallace, and preferably Evans, to hit and stay healthy, to be better than fine. Dissecting the possible/probable piece of that equation is still to be determined. But, it at least clarifies what this about for the program and the position this season.

Penn State has won a bunch of games the past two seasons. For the hurdles of “almost there” to be cleared, the receivers are going to have to present themselves as a big part of the difference.

Talk about it with our premium members in the Lions Den, here!

The post Penn State preseason camp kick-off week: Position groups to watch appeared first on On3 .