Penn State’s 27-17 win over UCLA on Saturday marked the five-game point of the 2024 season, the designated amount of game appearances a true freshman has to retain their redshirt status. For three Nittany Lions — offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, tight end Luke Reynolds and safety Dejuan Lane — that ship has sailed. Their redshirts are officially burned.
This past weekend’s contest saw the inclusion of two more freshmen play in their second game of the season, making it possible more names get added to the burned redshirt list in the near future.
Which freshmen have played so far and how much?
FIVE GAMES
OL Cooper Cousins
Cousins has been a stalwart of the Nittany Lions’ interior offensive line, especially in instances of injury. Cousins has appeared every game this year, his workload varying by score margin and durability of those above him in the depth chart. Cousins played significantly against Illinois two weeks ago after starting right guard Sal Wormley and his replacement, JB Nelson, exited with injuries.
TE Luke Reynolds
Reynolds was originally left off James Franklin’s list of freshmen who had a “green light” to burn their redshirts. But after an injury to tight end Andrew Rappleyea, Reynolds was needed to play early and often. Reynolds is the only freshman to have started a game this season, and he’s already done so twice. He has three receptions for 35 yards on the year.
S Dejuan Lane
Lane had already earned a preseason “green light” due to thin depth at safety, but since Kevin Winston Jr.’s long-term injury, he’s played a whole lot more than likely anyone could’ve predicted. Since Winston’s injury, Jaylen Reed and Zakee Wheatley have held down the starting safety spots. But Franklin’s goal is to eventually start Lane once he’s up to speed and move Reed back to nickel corner.
TWO GAMES
RB Quinton Martin Jr.
Nick Singleton’s absence against the Bruins meant more time for Martin, both at running back and kick returner. Martin tallied just one carry this past weekend, but caught three receptions for 18 yards and registered the team’s longest kick return so far this season, worth 27 yards. With Singleton set to return at USC, it’s unclear how much Martin will play moving forward, but a burned redshirt is certainly still in play.
S Vaboue Toure
Similar to Lane’s situation, Toure has earned an increased role after Winston’s injury. Toure played significantly against Kent State on Sept. 21, and returned to the field against UCLA and registered five tackles. Franklin has long searched for a No. 4 safety to back up Reed, Wheatley and Lane, and Toure has presented himself as a viable option to fill that role.
ONE GAME
LB Anthony Speca
Speca burst onto the scene by leading the Nittany Lions with five tackles in his collegiate debut against the Golden Flashes. And despite earning a temporary “green light” by Franklin the following week, one in which starting linebacker Dominic DeLuca was injured, Speca has yet to see the field for a second game.
WR Tyseer Denmark
OL Eagan Boyer
CB Kenny Woseley Jr.
CB Jon Mitchell
CB/S Antoine Belgrave-Shorter
DE Max Granville
DE Jaylen Harvey
DT Xavier Gilliam
Note: For freshmen who have played in one or fewer games after Penn State’s Nov. 9 matchup with Washington, redshirt status will be awarded and they will receive an extra year of eligibility. Even if these players appear in the postseason, this extra year will still be applied for any freshmen who plays fewer than five regular season games.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP FRESHMEN YET TO DEBUT
QB Ethan Grunkemeyer
RB Corey Smith
WR Josiah Brown
OL Garrett Sexton
OL Caleb Brewer
OL Donnie Harbour
DE Mylachi Williams
DT De’Andre Cook
INJURED AND YET TO DEBUT
DE Liam Andrews
DT T.A. Cunningham
LB Kari Jackson
WR Peter Gonzalez (long-term injury)
