With a week to go until Penn State football opens up spring practice, it’s as good of a time as any to unpack at least a few storylines the Nittany Lions will be facing this offseason. Truthfully there is nearly an unlimited number of things to talk about regarding Penn State and some of them are more obvious than others. For example, everyone wants to know how Sean Clifford is going to play this season. But here are a few that are a little less obvious.
Lion Package 2.0?: The greatest trick a coach can ever pull is convincing all of his quarterbacks that they’re important. The challenge for James Franklin and company is not getting into another situation like last season when there were no real options behind an injured Sean Clifford. Developing Christian Veilleux into a more complete backup quarterback will go a long way in that department, and playing Veilleux in a Tommy Stevens’ style Lion position might even give Veilleux something to do on the field in 2022. More importantly for Franklin, a reason for Veilleux to stick around. Everyone is clamoring to see incoming freshman Drew Allar, but unless Allar starts, Veilleux might be the more useful of the backup quarterback options this season. He has more experience but he’s 30 pounds lighter than Stevens was so if he’s out there to run, he might not be going between the tackles.
Is This The Year?: State College native Keaton Ellis has bounced between starting, being injured and finding himself on the outside looking in at both corner and safety. Penn State seeing enough turnover this offseason in the coverage unit could mean Ellis is more substantially back in the mix. Can he make the most of the moment? Years older, stronger and wiser, there’s no time like the present.
Hello Again: Jake Pinegar had an unexpectedly absent 2021-22 between an apparent injury and do-it-all kicker/punter guru Jordan Stout taking over every single kicking role. Pinegar was once a highly rated kicking prospect and had – up until last year – proven to be capable from the spot if need be. He stands to be the guy in 2022 and it would a long time coming for Pinegar who has perpetually been “almost” the guy. Big games come down to field goals, Pinegar should have plenty of chance to make his mark this season. For better or worse.
So What’s Your Job?: Marquis Wilson is the only player on Penn State’s roster listed as an athlete. The two-way talent saw time at both receiver and corner last season but played sparingly. Does he work on both side of the ball this year or find a more permanent home? Playing corner and receiver is basically playing a different side of the same coin, but if Wilson isn’t going to see the field much in 2022 his role as a utility player is fun, but probably unnecessary.
New Guy On The Block: It’s easy in the wake of Jahan Dotson’s departure to look at Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith as the most obvious default answers to “who is going to replace him?” and while that might turn out to be true, don’t overlook Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley. An All-Conference USA selection last year, Tinsley brings Penn State plenty of speed and skills to State College and could be a big part of the mix in 2022. Aside from Washington, Penn State’s receiver’s room is really pretty wide open so Tinsley will have to earn his keep but he isn’t coming to Penn State to sit on the bench and James Franklin probably didn’t recruit him simply for more depth when he doesn’t need it.
