How much pressure does James Franklin and Penn State have in 2025?
James Franklin may have his best Penn State team in 2025, but can they finally break through?
Penn State football will launch its most anticipated season in over 25 years.
The senior building of coach James Franklin's team is his most talented, experienced and by far the deepest, ranking third.
Drew Allar leads the Nittany Lions' All-American candidate, from quarterback to run to defensive back, plus those two lines.
So, what will the starting lineup for the opening ceremony of the season against Nevada on August 30?
Like many Power 4 programs, Penn State no longer releases official in-depth charts. (According to coaches like Franklin, all of this is in the name of protecting Intel).
So here is our prediction for Nittany Lions starters and top backups for each position.
Pennsylvania Football: Quarterback
Beginner: Drew Allar
Reserve: Ethan Grunkemeyer, R-Fr. ; Jaxon Smolik, R-SO.
Allar is one of the most important quarterbacks in the nation, with unparalleled size, arm strength, experience and improved mobility. Can he improve his performance at his biggest moments and bring PSU into a big game victory?
Run back
Beginner: Nick Singleton, Senior Kaytron Allen
Reserve: Cam Wallace, R-So. Quinton Martin, R-fr. ; Corey Smith, R-Fr. ; Tikey Hayes, Father
The best defender combination in the country. Home run hit Singleton and tackle Allen can Each Become the leading stormtrooper in the history of the school. Perhaps even more urgent: Will Wallace win third place after an injury last season?
Wide receiver
Beginner: Trebor Pena, R-SR.
Reserve: Liam Clifford, R-Sr. ; Kobe Howard (Fr.)
Former captain Pena led the ACC to accept the ACC last year and could be the Lions’ most reliable and productive option in three seasons. Clifford is the highest reward for 18 receptions in 2024, stopping Howard and others during playing time?
Wide receiver
Beginner: Kyron Hudson, R-SR.
Reserve: Peter Gonzalez (R-Fr).
Hudson is another transfer with excellent leadership skills. He hopes to play the larger body of the Lions missing, controversial wide angle. Like Gonzalez, the backup was untested.
Wide receiver
Beginner: Devonte Ross
Reserve: Tyseer Denmark, R-Fr. ;Anthony Ivey, R-Jr.
Ross offers different receiver skills, marked by high-end speed and lateral speed. How will he adjust the Power 4 competition full time? Denmark is probably the most interesting return option in the room with similar possibilities.
Tight
Beginner: Khalil Dinkins, R-SR.
Reserve: Luke Reynolds R-SO. Andrew Rappleyea; Joey Schlaffer; r-so. Andrew Olesh, Father; Brian Kortovich, Father
The deepest end room in the country? The Lions will miss the late All-American Tyler Warren will be made up of various forces: Dinkins’ superior blockade, Reynolds’ pass and Rappleyea’s all-around ability.
Left tackle
Beginner: Drew Shelton
Reserve: J'Ven Williams, R-So. Eagan Boyer, R-Fr.
Sheldon is probably the most low-key but consistent member of one of the top offensive lines in the United States. Williams may prove to be a valuable swingman between tackle and defender.
Left defender
Beginner: Vega Ioane, R-Jr.
Reserve: Alex Birchmeier, R-So. Chimdy Onoh, R-So.
Ioane is the All-American in the Preseason, and the numbers are the focus of the line's increasing physical dominance. The highly respected Birchmeier finally makes the depth map progress.
center
Beginner: Nick Dawkins, R-SR.
Reserve: Cooper Cousins Dominic Rulli, R-Jr.
Dawkins' leadership attributes are undoubtedly. He seems ready to be promoted to one of the country's top centers.
Right rear guard
Beginner: Anthony Donkoh, R-So.
Reserve: Cooper Cousins TJ Shanahan, R-So. Alex Birchmeier, R-So.
Last year's starting right tackle Donkoh appeared to be one of the most intense battles on the team. 2024 has recovered from an impressive performance due to an injury at the end of the season. Cousins is still ready for a breakout season, even helping in the midfield when needed.
The correct tackle
Beginner: Nolan Rucci, R-Sr.
Reserve: Anthony Donkoh, R-So. J'Ven Williams, R-So. Eagan Boyer, R-Fr.
Rucci has made significant improvements since taking over the injured Donkoh in November last year.
Defensive end
Beginner: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Advanced
Reserve: Jaylen Harvey, R-Fr. ; Mylachi Williams, R-Fr.
Dennis-Sutton is one of the highest marginal sprinters in the country. He has at least a promising but green backup that can play a major role.
Defensive tackle
Beginner: Alonzo Ford, R-SR.
Reserve: Xavier Gilliam, R-Fr. ; Deandre Cook, R-Fr. ; Kaleb Artis, R-Jr.
If Ford can stay healthy, Ford has great running potential. Gilliam is probably the highest backup tackle in the lineup.
Defensive tackle
Beginner: Zane Durant, Advanced
Reserve: Enai White, R-Jr. ; Ty Blanding, R-So. Your own Wafle, R-fr.
Durant is another preseason All-American, one of the most powerful and explosive athletes in the entire lineup. A tough backup game led by White, who recently moved from the defensive end.
Defensive end
Beginner: Zuriah Fisher, R-SR..
Reserve: Chaz Coleman, Father; Yvan Kemajou, Father; Mason Robinson, R-SO.
Fisher hopes to eventually show off his passing sprint skills after two major injuries cheated. Can freshmen like Chaz Coleman or Yvan Kemajou win a top-tier backup position?
Outside defender
Beginner: Tony Rojas Jr.
Reserve: Dom DeLuca, R-Sr. ; R-Jr. Keon Wylie; Lavar Arrington II, Father
Rojas is still at guard U. DeLuca's next outstanding playmaker is the captain for many years and should see the starting minutes, especially in the third-line defender game.
Inside defender
Beginner: Amare Campbell Jr.
Reserve: Dom DeLuca, R-Sr. ; Anthony Speca, R-fr. ;Kari Jackson, R-fr.
North Carolina transfer Campbell was designated as the signal call in the middle. Everyone's eyes appeared as quickly as specifications.
Cornerguard
Beginner: AJ Harris, Jr.
Reserve: Audavion Collins, R-Jr. ;Daryus Dixson, Father
Harris is a national candidate and the best cover person in middle school. Collins is too good to stay away from the court, and Dickson is probably the true freshman at the Lions’ top trend.
Cornerguard
Beginner: Elliot Washington (R-Jr).
Reserve: Audavion Collins, R-Jr. ; Kenny Worciley (R-Fr).
Washington is reportedly the fastest man on the team and one of the most powerful and pound-strongest. He led the Lions to break up in 2024.
Safety/corner guard
Beginner: Zion Tracy Jr.
Reserve: King Mack; Kolin Dinkins, R-Jr. ; Kenney Woseley, R-fr.
Tracy is one of the top four in the PSU's full cornerback position, and in the case of passing, it's probably a resilient star for Nickel (the extra defender for the defensive back).
Safety
Beginner: Zakee Wheatley, R-SR.
Reserve: Vaboue Toure, R-Fr.
Wheatley expects something bigger is to wear the “takeout king” (Six in 2024) to create a long-term preference for mistakes.
Safety
Beginner: King Mack (Jr.) or Dejuan Lane, So.
Reserve: Antoine Belgrave-shorter, R-Fr.
Another fierce competition with Mack and Lane is expected to play a role in coordinator Jim Knowles' five defensive post-packages.
expert
Beginner: R-SO. Gabe Nwosu, R-Sr. Riley Thompson, Punter, Sr. ; Nick Singleton, kickback; Devonte Ross, punt returner
Reserve: Matthew Parker, kicker. Gabe Nwosu, Punter, R-Sr. ;Quinton Martin, kick returner; Zion Tracy Jr.; Trebor Pena, R-SR.
After freshman year, Barker returns. Thompson hopes to be one of the most important statistic bettors in PSU history. The fascinating punt return option, which includes three previous starters, including Tracy, who played a role in the second half of 2024.
Frank Bodani covers the York Daily and USA Today network’s Penn State Football. Contact him fbodani@ydr.com And follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ydrpennstate.