Penn State football notebook | Offensive line improvements and wide receivers emerging
With spring practice in full swing, Penn State is gearing up for a successful 2023 campaign.
James Franklin mentioned players are starting to separate themselves from others, and the young players are getting adjusted to the collegiate level.
Here are several takeaways from the post-practice availability.
Offensive line improvements
Olu Fashanu made headlines when he announced his return to Happy Valley rather than entering the NFL Draft and potentially being a first-round pick.
With Fashanu anchoring the left side of the offensive line, the focus for the Nittany Lions turns to who plays right tackle.
Franklin mentioned Caedan Wallace has made great strides, and sophomore Drew Shelton has had a learning curve moving to right tackle.
Franklin noted the blue and white could have “two of the better tackles, if not three of the better tackles, in the country” if Wallace and Shelton continue to progress.
Wallace missed the final five games of the regular season with an injury, and he announced his return a few days before the Rose Bowl.
“Physically, he's one of the more talented guys I've been around,” Franklin said. “So we've got to find a way to help him take the next step.”
As for Shelton, he started five games at left tackle in 2022, earning him valuable reps during his first season in Happy Valley.
The second-year tackle is adjusting to right tackle after playing on the opposite side for most of his career.
"It's been a little bit of an adjustment for him, but it's been really good for him," Franklin said. "I'd rather go through some of these growing pains now than in the fall."
Prowler Presence
In Manny Diaz’s first season as defensive coordinator, he introduced a defensive package called “Prowler.”
In 2022, Ji’Ayir Brown was in the prowler role the most, but with him moving onto the NFL, Penn State needs someone to fill the role.
Diaz mentioned Brown’s success in “Prowler” inspired others in the secondary due to his “flexible superpowers.”
“One of the fun things we get to do at this time of year is you put different guys in different positions,” Diaz said. “Now that Brown’s done it, the guys love it. Everybody wants to play his position on ‘Prowler.’”
The second-year defensive coordinator noted the Nittany Lions have had competitions to see who plays in the package.
One of the guys in contention for the spot is cornerback Johnny Dixon. Last season, Dixon had 23 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
“I can do a lot of stuff you saw Ji’Ayir do with the blitzing and the sacks…and being able to read the quarterback and make plays,” Dixon said.
Leadership needed
The blue and white lost Brown, Joey Porter Jr., Sean Clifford, PJ Mustipher and Juice Scruggs, who were leaders not only for their position groups but for the entire program.
With the loss of its key veterans, Franklin’s squad has had several players emerge as that next group of mentors.
Drew Allar and Beau Pribula have grown as leaders at the quarterback spot.
With Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley leaving for the NFL Draft, KeAndre Lambert-Smith has stepped up in the wide receiver room. However, last week Lambert-Smith voiced his struggles in becoming a leader himself.
On the offensive line, the Nittany Lions have had a plethora of veterans step up, including Fashanu, Wallace, Hunter Nourzad and Sal Wormley.
Other notes
Abdul Carter has gained 16 pounds since the Rose Bowl and now stands at 6-foot-3, 249 pounds.
“At the end of the day, can they put on good weight, and can they carry it?” Franklin asked, “He’s carrying it well right now. If you can get as big as you can get and still keep your speed and quickness, it's a weapon.”
As a freshman, Carter had 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Just one week ago, Franklin noted he wanted Lambert-Smith to become the No.1 wide receiver. His strategy appears to have worked as this week he mentioned Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III have separated themselves at receiver. Penn State is expected to add Kent State transfer Dante Cephas after spring practice concludes.
The chances of Pribula receiving snaps next season continue to increase every week. Franklin said Pribula and Allar have taken first-team reps. He noted how the team could use both of them in the offense.
“They’re both cerebral guys, they both have really high football IQs, and they both really work at it,” Franklin said. “Beau has got a little bit more element with his feet, and we'll see if we're going to take advantage of that.”
Alex Rocco is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.
