Finally. The Big Ten announced last week that it will begin a conference-only season on October 24. The league will be highlighted by Heisman hopeful Justin Fields and the 2019 Fiesta Bowl runner-up Ohio State Buckeyes, but I’m here to tell you about the team that can take them down and claim the Big Ten Title: Penn State.
Penn State football totaled 11 wins in three of the past four seasons qualifying for a New Year’s Six bowl game each year, and the Nittany Lions are looking to take the next step. Am I a biased Penn State student? Maybe. But to say there’s a chance James Franklin can lead them to the Playoff isn’t totally far fetched. This team is filled with guys returning who saw significant playing time a season ago and a handful of underclassmen trying to prove themselves.
Let’s take a look at the projected depth chart for the Penn State football offense in 2020.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
- Sean Clifford
- Will Levis
- Taquon Roberson
- Micah Bowens
Notes: Kirk Ciarrocca came over from Minnesota this offseason and is taking over the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach role from Ricky Rahne. Ciarrocca will need to get creative to help Clifford in his second year as the starter as he lost his No. 1 target and top playmaker KJ Hamler to the NFL. Regardless, Clifford will take a step forward in year two. Will Levis is an all-around athlete who showed great things when he had the ball in his hands last year. I want to see him play a Tommy Stevens type of role from a couple years ago and get the ball in his hands to throw or run.
Running Back
- Journey Brown
- Noah Cain
- Devyn Ford
- Caziah Holmes
- Keyvone Lee
Notes: RBU. A year after losing Miles Sanders to the draft, the Penn State running back room didn’t skip a beat. Journey Brown really broke out toward the end of last season as he rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games with nine touchdowns over that span. Noah Cain is coming back after a successful true freshman season when he was healthy. He’s the perfect compliment to Journey, and I expect him to be the workhorse. He should get the short yardage and goal line carries. The 1-2 punch of Journey and Noah is going to be even more fun to watch in year two. Defensive coordinators are shaking in their boots preparing for this running back group.
X Receiver
- Daniel George
- KeAndre Lambert
- Cam Sullivan-Brown
Z Receiver
- T.J. Jones
- John Dunmore
- Jaden Dottin
Slot Receiver
- Jahan Dotson
- Parker Washington
Notes: Going into this season, my one question mark for this team was the wide receiver group. KJ Hamler is catching passes on Sunday now, so who’s going to step up? Jahan Dotson is the only proven player in this young position group. Taking over the slot and Ciarrocca’s play calling will benefit him for a breakout year. Other than that, you’re not really looking at too much production from the rest of the group in the past. Clifford really needs one or two of the freshmen to step up and make an immediate impact on offense. I think T.J. Jones can be that guy. Look out for the redshirt freshman to be making big plays this fall.
Tight End
- Pat Freiermuth
- Zack Kuntz
- Brenton Strange
- Theo Johnson
Notes: Take a deep breath. Pat Freiermuth told the Big Ten Network he will not be opting out and is going to play this season. The guy doesn’t get compared to Gronk for no reason. Freiermuth has balled out from the first day he stepped on campus and has just kept getting better since. He’s currently tied with Mike Gesicki for the most touchdown receptions as a Penn State tight end. He’s a game changer who can block and make explosive plays after the catch. Other than Freiermuth, we’re going to see these other three guys get reps too. Kuntz is 6-foot-7 and could be another red zone threat. Strange and Johnson are still young but were sought after recruits who deserve to see the field in different packages. I’m just happy I get to watch one more season of Pat Freiermuth bullying defenders in a Penn State jersey.
Left Tackle
- Rasheed Walker
- Des Holmes
Left Guard
- Mike Miranda
- Juice Scruggs
Center
- Michael Menet
- Nick Dawkins
Right Guard
- CJ Thorpe
- Anthony Whigan
Right Tackle
- Will Fries
- Caedan Wallace
Notes: New offensive line coach Phil Trautwein has a ton of talent across the board this year. Everybody coming back has seen at least some in-game experience so that should benefit them this season. It’s a group who run blocks exceptionally well and has one of the best running back groups in the country to make it look even better. I just want to see more time for Clifford in the pocket during pass protection.
Junior at Penn State University covering all things PSU Football, Men’s Basketball and the 2020 Heisman Trophy race. Die-hard Philly 4 for 4 fan. Go Birds and We Are.
