Penn State’s Luke Reynolds showcased his potential as a strong successor to tight end Tyler Warren in a 49-10 at Purdue on Saturday, a game that saw 12 true freshmen and 68 total players see the field. The window to burn freshmen redshirts has closed for a number of players, meaning increased involvement from young talent could continue.
Which true freshmen played against the Boilermakers and who stood out?
TE Luke Reynolds: 25 snaps
Reynolds was forced to learn quickly after an injury to tight end Andrew Rappleyea boosted him up the depth chart. Reynolds has now played in all 10 games, breaking out for three catches, 53 yards and his first-career touchdown on Saturday. He was a key blocker, performing well enough in both facets to earn the offense’s second-highest grade, 88.7, by Pro Football Focus.
OL Cooper Cousins: 21 snaps
Cooper Cousins, who has also appeared in all 10 games this year, played double-digit snaps for just the fourth time this season and first since the Nittany Lions faced Illinois on Sept. 28. Cousins played right guard for the entirety of Saturday’s game, but offensive line coach Phil Trautwein has said that he projects his standout freshman to transition to center in the future.
CB Jon Mitchell: 21 snaps
Jon Mitchell sat last week as fellow freshman cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr. appeared in the fourth quarter against Washington. This weekend, it was Mitchell who played more snaps than any defensive freshmen, tallying one tackle. With just two game appearances this year, Mitchell can play in each of Penn State’s remaining two games and retain his redshirt.
RB Corey Smith: 20 snaps
As expected, Corey Smith handled a pretty significant workload in the follow up to his 95-yard debut against the Huskies last weekend. Smith led the Nittany Lions with eight carries, rushing for 37 yards. Smith has also played in just two games while fellow freshman running back Quinton Martin Jr. has appeared in three.
S Dejuan Lane: 20 snaps
After a long-term injury to Kevin Winston Jr., Dejuan Lane was thrown into the fire and forced to burn his redshirt within a safety room low on depth. Lane’s snaps have steadily increased in three of the past four weeks, which could potentially translate to a more substantial role against more quality opponents in the College Football Playoff.
OL Eagan Boyer: 19 snaps
Following Cousins, no freshman offensive lineman has generated more buzz from coaches than Eagan Boyer. In his second game appearance, Boyer saw a career-high snap total and got some significant experience in pass protection at right tackle.
DB Antoine Belgrave-Shorter: 18 snaps
Antoine Belgrave-Shorter has practiced at both cornerback and safety over the course of the year. On Saturday, in his second career game, Belgrave-Shorter saw extended action at nickel and tied the freshman-high with three tackles.
DT Xavier Gilliam: 17 snaps
James Franklin said last Monday that Xavier Gilliam has generated “a lot of excitement” throughout the program. At 6-foot-2 and 302 pounds, Gilliam possesses the size necessary to compete at the Big Ten level, and could continue to see extended playing time now that the window to burn his redshirt has closed.
CB Kenny Woseley Jr.: 14 snaps
In his third game appearance, Woseley showcased some promising potential, making a big hit for a stop and tallying three tackles. Woseley can only appear in one of the Nittany Lions’ two remaining regular season games for the opportunity to retain his redshirt. It’s likely he takes that route.
LB Anthony Speca: 14 snaps
At a linebacker position slim on depth, Anthony Speca could provide an edge in the postseason if he continues to progress in limited game appearances. Speca has played in each of Penn State’s past two games, bringing his total game count to three. Like Woseley, that means Speca will be limited to just one more regular season game if Franklin wants to retain his redshirt.
WR Tyseer Denmark: 11 snaps
Tyseer Denmark didn’t make the offensive impact many had likely hoped he would in his second career game. He rushed just once for loss and ended the day without a reception. However, Denmark returned a punt for 16 yards, showcasing the speed and elusiveness coaches and teammates have raved about throughout his freshman year.
DE Jaylen Harvey: 11 snaps
It wasn’t the highly touted Max Granville, but Jaylen Harvey who held down the snaps by freshmen defensive ends on Saturday. Harvey played well in limited action, tallying a tackle for loss before he was carried off the field with an injury in the fourth quarter, leaving his status uncertain for the remainder of the season.
