On Monday, Fox Sports activities analyst Joel Klatt ranked Penn State because the No. 1 faculty soccer group within the nation heading into the 2025 season. Which may appear to be a controversial opinion, however Klatt may simply be onto one thing.
Listed here are the 5 causes James Franklin may lastly lead Penn State over the hump this season.
The very best operating again duo within the nation
Behind Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen may be one of the best operating backs within the nation. The dynamic duo mixed for two,207 speeding yards and 27 whole touchdowns final season. Due to Singleton and Allen, Penn State ranked fifteenth within the nation in speeding yards per recreation (202.3), 18th in yards per rush (5.3) and eleventh in fourth-down conversion price (72 p.c).
Singleton’s home-run pace (supposedly 4.33 within the 40, per SI.com), mixed with Allen’s dimension (5-foot-11, 229 kilos) and physicality, make this essentially the most harmful backfield in America.
A sturdy, veteran offensive line
The offensive line has been a serious weak point for Penn State previously, however that will not be the case in 2025. The Nittany Lions are set to return 4 starters from final season: senior left deal with Drew Shelton, junior left guard Olaivavega Ioane, senior middle Nick Dawkins and the appropriate deal with tandem of senior Nolan Rucci and sophomore Anthony Donkoh.
Former four-star recruit Cooper Cousins will doubtless take over because the beginning proper guard, and former five-star J’ven Williams offers a superb backup plan on the within. This group goes to maul defensive strains all season.
A balanced, skilled protection
The Nittany Lions will not be capable to substitute New York Giants first-round decide Abdul Carter’s pace and energy on the defensive position, however this group should not take a lot of a step again in 2025.
Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant are NFL abilities on the defensive position. Tony Rojas, Dominic DeLuca and North Carolina switch Amare Campbell can cowl sideline to sideline at linebacker. Zakee Wheatley is a ballhawk within the again finish, and the skilled cornerback trio of A.J. Harris, Elliot Washington II and Audavion Collins will probably be a energy for this group.
Elite coordinators
It is exhausting to discover a extra spectacular pair of coordinators than the duo located in Joyful Valley. Andy Kotelnicki, who had an opportunity to go away State Faculty for a head-coaching job this offseason, stayed for a hunt for a nationwide championship. The evil genius of offensive playcalling is not afraid to ship offensive linemen in movement or use a decent finish as the middle earlier than sending him on a go route.
Below Kotelnicki final 12 months, Penn State ranked twenty second within the nation in scoring offense (33.1) and tenth in yards per play (6.4).
Penn State additionally discovered a approach to improve the defensive coordinator place by prying Jim Knowles from Ohio State. The Buckeyes led the nation in scoring protection (12.9), whole protection (254.9) and red-zone protection (60.5 p.c) below Knowles final season.
Drew Allar’s coronation
Allar has the potential to win the Heisman Trophy in 2025. The senior gunslinger is coming off a career-best 3,327 passing yards and 66.5 p.c completion price final season, and he has thrown solely 10 interceptions in 843 profession go makes an attempt.
