Penn State football’s season-opening depth chart: Our final prediction ...
Penn State football may own the most productive running back combination in the nation for the 2023 season.
Sophomores Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will share the position again as they expand their abilities as runners — and receivers — behind one of the Nittany Lions' top offensive lines.
So who will get the start in the Sept. 2 season-opener against West Virginia?
Penn State, like many Power 5 programs, doesn't release official depth charts anymore. (All in the name of protecting team intel, according to coaches like James Franklin).
So here's our prediction for the Nittany Lions' depth chart at each position:
Quarterback
The starter(s): Drew Allar, Soph.
The reserves: Beau Pribula, R-Fr.; Jaxon Smolik, Fr.
Allar is the program's most talented QB prospect (size, arm strength, recruiting pedigree) in years. Can the first-time starter possibly meet expectations, especially early on? The ultra-mobile Pribula should get plenty of backup looks, too.
Running back
The starter(s): Nick Singleton, Soph. OR Kaytron Allen, Soph.
The reserves: Trey Potts, R-Sr.; London Montgomery, Fr.; Cam Wallace, Fr.
Singleton and Allen expect to split the position as evenly as possible — they're both that valuable. This may be the team's best one-two punch at the position since Curtis Enis and Aaron Harris in 1997. Potts, a transfer from Minnesota, is proven Big Ten grinder.
Wide receiver
The starter(s): KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Jr.
The reserves: Kaden Saunders, R-Fr.; Liam Clifford, R-Soph.
Big-play Lambert-Smith must prove reliability and dependability to truly elevate to No. 1 target status. Saunders, a star recruit two years ago, should get extended run in the slot with his top-shelf quickness and maneuverability.
Wide receiver
The starter(s): Tre Wallace, R-Soph.
The reserves: Dante Cephus, R-Sr.; Malick Meiga, Jr.
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This unit needs Cephus, the productive transfer from Kent State, to earn major minutes sooner than later. His experience is key for this mostly unproven group.
Wide receiver
The starter(s): Omari Evans, Soph.
The reserves: Dante Cephus, R-Sr.; Malik McClain, Jr.; Tyler Johnson, R-Fr.
Evans, arguably the fastest player on the roster, appears to have made big strides since his transition from high school quarterback to full-time receiver. McClain, a Florida State transfer, provides intriguing size in the red zone.
Tight end
The starter(s): Theo Johnson, Jr.
The reserves: Tyler Warren, Jr.; Khalil Dinkins, R-Soph.; Jerry Cross, R-Fr.
While Johnson offers All-America potential, he'll split reps and opportunities with standout backups, Warren and Dinkins. Arguably the strongest, deepest position group on the roster.
Left tackle
The starter(s): Olu Fashanu, Jr.
The reserves: Drew Shelton, Soph.; JB Nelson, R-Jr.; J'ven Williams, Fr.
Fashanu should be the team's best blind-side protector since Levi Brown, more than a decade ago. Shelton can play either tackle spot but may be best suited on the left side.
Left guard
The starter(s): JB Nelson, R-Jr.
The reserves: Vega Ioane, R-Fr.; Anthony Donkoh, Fr.
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Promising redshirt sophomore Landon Tengwall announced his retirement from football for an undisclosed injury situation a few days before the season-opener. Nelson, a junior college transfer, appears solid at both guard and tackle. Will the Lions have to rely on freshmen here for a second-straight season?
Center
The starter(s): Hunter Nourzad, R-Sr.
The reserves: Nick Dawkins, R-Jr.
Biggest key to the offensive line? Nourzad must hold everything together in his first full-time season at center.
Right guard
The starter(s): Sal Wormley, R-Sr.
The reserves: Vega Ioane, R-Fr.; Alex Birchmeier, Fr.
Wormley is experienced and dependable but Ioane looms as the superior talent. A midseason change could be in order — unless Ioane is needed first on the left side.
Right tackle
The starter(s): Caedan Wallace, R-Sr.
The reserves: Drew Shelton, Soph.; Alex Birchmeier, Fr.
Wallace is trending upwards and could push the entire line into elite status.
Defensive end
The starter(s): Chop Robinson, Jr.
The reserves: Amin Vanover, Jr.; Jake Wilson, R-Jr.
Robinson projects as an All-American and national breakout talent. Vanover, though, is even longer and larger (6-foot-4, 266 pounds) and could be a starter on most Big Ten teams.
Defensive tackle
The starter(s): Hakeem Beamon, R-Sr.
The reserves: Dvon Ellies, R-Sr.; Kaleb Artis, R-Fr.
Beamon, one of the most explosive athletes on the team, has finally bulked up to standard lineman weight (285 pounds). Is that his missing key? Ellies, all but a co-starter, will be depended on heavily.
Defensive tackle
The starter(s): Cozziah Izzard, Jr.
The reserves: Zane Durant, Soph.,; Jordan van den Berg, R-Soph.; Davon Townley, R-Soph.
Izzard is the man, if healthy and available — though that's been an issue the past two seasons. Van den Berg is the strongest player on the team is expects significant, breakout field time — much like Durant.
Defensive end
The starter(s): Adisa Isaac, R-Sr.
The reserves: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Soph.; Zuriah Fisher, R-Jr.
Former 5-star Dennis-Sutton will push Isaac and Robinson for big playing minutes — he's too good not to. Fisher, much like Isaac, appears in impressive, pre-injury form again.
Outside linebacker
The starter(s): Abdul Carter, Soph.
The reserves: Tony Rojas, Fr.
Carter is being compared to former elites Micah Parsons and LaVar Arrington — even bigger (250 pounds) and more powerful in just his second season. Rojas will be a regular rotation standout from the start.
Inside linebacker
The starter(s): Kobe King, R-Soph.
The reserves: Tyler Elsdon, Jr.; Keon Wylie, R-Fr.
Big leap coming for King, who should prove he's one of the Big Ten's best. Great depth with 2022 starter Elsdon and promising athletes Wylie and rookie Ta'Mere Robinson.
Outside linebacker
The starter(s): Curtis Jacobs, Jr.
The reserves: Dom DeLuca, R-Soph.
Jacobs flourished down the stretch last season in pressure and pursuit, setting up a potential big junior season alongside Carter.
Cornerback
The starter(s): Kalen King, Jr.
The reserves: Daequan Hardy, R-Sr.; Ellliot Washington, Fr.
King is the All-America hopeful and arguably the top cover corner in the league. Hardy, a three-year starter in the slot, is an invaluable extra defensive back, mostly manning the slot.
Cornerback
The starter(s): Johnny Dixon, Sr.
The reserves: Daequan Hardy, R-Sr.; Cam Miller, So.
The ultra-aggressive Dixon also is a proven pass-rusher and tackler around scrimmage.
Safety
The starter(s): Jaylen Reed, Jr. OR K.J. Winston, So.
The reserves: Tyrece Mills, R-Jr., DaKaari Nelson, Fr.
Supreme playing time battle between the experienced, steady Reed and the younger, more dynamic Winston. Nelson (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) may have the most promise, of all.
Safety
The starter(s): Keaton Ellis, Sr.
The reserves: Zakee Wheatley, R-Soph.; King Mack, Fr.
No one is more game-tested than Ellis, playing a major defensive role since 2019. Will he elevate as a senior? Wheatley, a big hitter with knack for turnovers, will push him hard from the start.
Specialists
The starter(s): Sander Sahaydak, kicker, R-Soph.; Alex Bacchetta, punter, R-Fr.; Nick Singleton, kick returner; Daequan Hardy, punt returner
The reserves: Alex Felkins, kicker, Sr.; Ryan Barker, kicker, Fr.; Riley Thompson, punter, Sr.; Mitch Groh, punter, R-Soph.; Gabe Nwosu, punter, R-Soph; Kaytron Allen, kick returner; Omari Evans, punt returner.
Sahaydak, last year's backup kicker, owns a big leg but must prove consistency. Bacchetta, another new starter, was the nation's top-rated punting recruit in 2021. Singleton, much like Saquon Barkley, is made for this position — evidenced by his 100-yard return vs. Rutgers. The trusty, experienced Hardy narrowly earns the punt returning edge.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football depth chart: Drew Allar, Olu Fashanu, Kalen King
