Blue-White Game Report Card: Grading Penn State’s spring football game

kevin mcguire

Sun, Apr 24, 2022, 12:57 AM·7 min read

Penn State’s spring game wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard, even in a modified scoring system. And fans wanting to see drastic improvement from the program that has gone .500 over the past two seasons may be left wondering if Penn State is set up for another mediocre season in Happy Valley after watching the Blue-White Game. But Penn State’s final spring practice of the year had some positive developments and some reminders that help is on the way over the summer.

And now the grades are in for Penn State’s performance during the Blue-White Game. Here’s how each position group was graded for the spring game in Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Quarterback: C

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A recurring theme when it comes to the offensive grades following Penn State’s game is probably chalked up to a simple “Eh, it could have been better.” That was the basic takeaway from the performance of the quarterbacks overall, but any expectation of any passer just lighting up the spring game may have been unreasonable.

We were never likely to see a whole lot out of Sean Clifford, the sixth-year senior who really has little more to prove at this point. We know pretty much exactly what Clifford is, and if given time to process the field, he can make plays. But he had some overthrown passes at times. He did, however, throw the game’s only touchdown of the game.

The backup competition behind Clifford is the real storyline here, and the future of Drew Allar is what fans are eager to witness. But a rough spring debut for the true freshman shows there is still work to be done in the big picture. If based solely on one afternoon, Christian Veilleux proved he should be the team’s primary backup option heading into the season, although Allar should improve quickly.

Instant Reaction: Blue-White Game shows Penn State is a work in progress (and that's OK)

Next: Grading the running backs

Running Back: C

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Fans wanting to see the rushing debut of Nick Singleton were certainly left hoping for more. Singleton had four carries for zero net yards in his spring debut, but he did have a nice gain with a pass reception to show he can make plays in a handful of different ways.

Kaytron Allen proved worthy on the ground with a game-high eight carries tying him with Keyvone Lee. Lee had just a few more rushing yards than Allen, the other top freshman running back joining the team this season.

But no running back scored a touchdown (Singleton had a two-point conversion at the start of the game that wasn’t included in the official box score)

Next: Grading the wide receivers and tight ends

Wide Receivers: C

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Nine different players caught a pass in the Blue-White Game, including the previously mentioned pass to freshman running back Nick Singleton. With no Parker Washington in the spring game, Penn State got a chance to get transfer addition Mitchell Tinsley involved in a key role. Tinsley scored the game’s only touchdown of the afternoon.

It may not have gone down in the official box score, but Trey Wallace came up with one of the best plays of the game with his catch in the end zone in a red zone seven-on-seven drill in the first half.

Tight Ends: C

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

It is tough to get on the tight ends too much based on one spring performance, but the tight ends were not making too many dents in the official box score. But this also may not be much of a reason to be concerned.

The combination of Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson should still be a worthy duo in the fall, and Tyler Warren continues to provide value as a blocker. Warren made one of the key blocks on the only touchdown of the game, scored by Tinsley.

Next: Grading the offensive line

Offensive Line: Incomplete

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State was lacking in healthy and available offensive linemen for the spring game, which was a big factor in moving forward with a modified scoring system as opposed to a more traditional Blue-White Game with two separate teams. So, out of fairness to the position group as a whole, we’ll leave this grade as a simple “Incomplete” for now.

It would have been encouraging to see more lanes opened for the running backs and the freshmen quarterbacks not feeling under as much pressure as they saw (partially because, well, they’re freshmen in their first semester on campus), but we will hold off on raising any caution flags on this unit.

The good news to know is help is on the way this summer with new roster additions, including Cornell transfer Hunter Nourzad.

Next: Grading the defensive line

Defensive Line: B

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Diaz must have liked what he saw out of his new defensive line. And he can take comfort in knowing that some of its best pieces are still coming. PJ Mustipher was out as he continues to rehab from last season’s knee injury, and Zuriah Fisher’s season-ending injury was a damper on the depth projections. But Adisa Isaac and Smith Vilbert each had a tackle for loss.

Freshman Zane Durant had some nice moments as well, although his production is not reflected in the official box score from the game. But knowing a healthy Mustipher is coming back, five-star Dani Dennis-Sutton will arrive in the summer, and Maryland transfer Demeioun Robinson is also on the way, Diaz should have some good options to play with on the defensive line.

Next: Grading the linebackers

Linebackers: A

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Two young linebackers turned out to be the standout performers for the defense in the Blue-White Game. Dominic Deluca was the surprise star with a sack and a pair of interceptions (including one in seven-on-seven that wasn’t counted in the box score), and kobe king led all players with five tackles as he made his case for consideration for a more significant role in the fall.

Jonathan Sutherland also got a chance to show what he can do at his new position on the defense. Sutherland ended the Blue-White Game with a pair of tackles as he provides some veteran leadership in the middle of the defense.

Bobby Walchak also added an interception for the linebacker unit.

Next: Grading the secondary

Secondary: B+

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

There may not have been any pick-sixes, but Jayden Reed and Zakee Wheatley combined to break up four passes to cause some frustrating moments for Penn State’s younger quarterbacks.

Kalen King ended the day with three tackles, two of which were solo tackles.

There were some names notably absent from the box score, including Joey Porter Jr. and Ji'Ayir Brown. Both are expected to be starters locked into their positions in the fall.

Next: Grading the special teams

Special Teams: B+

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

After having the luxury of having Jordan Stout to handle kicking and punting responsibilities a year ago, Penn State’s special teams are in a key point in time for the 2022 season. Sander Sahaydak made his case to be considered the primary field-goal kicker ahead of Jake Pinegar, although both converted from beyond 40 yards in their official scrimmage field goal attempts.

As for who handles the punting, the answer to that may be arriving in the summer with Class of 2022 addition Alex Bacchetta.

There were no official kick or punt returns in the Blue-White Game, but Penn State did send a mix of players down the field to field punts throughout the afternoon.

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