Although there are still months before Penn State takes the Beaver Stadium grass to kick off its 2025 season, the conclusion of spring practice means an unofficial depth chart is beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n
James Franklin and his staff brought in a few new faces from the transfer portal this offseason to boost competition, and it seems to be working. Here\u2019s how the depth chart projects on the offensive side of the ball at the end of spring ball.<\/p>\n
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Quarterback Jaxon Smolik (14) throws the ball during the 2025 Blue-White Game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The White team beat the Blue team 10-8.<\/p>\n
Samantha Oropeza<\/p>\n
Quarterback<\/p>\n
1. Drew Allar, senior<\/p>\n
2. Ethan Grunkemeyer, redshirt freshman<\/p>\n
3. Jaxon Smolik, redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
4. Bekkem Kritza, freshman<\/p>\n
With Drew Allar returning for his fourth and final year as a Nittany Lion, the starting spot under center is all but his. The battle behind him, meanwhile, is the real storyline of the quarterback room, as both Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jaxon Smolik impressed in the spring.<\/p>\n
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Running backs Nick Singleton (10) and Kaytron Allen (13) hype each other up before the opening kick of the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.<\/p>\n
Sienna Pinney<\/p>\n
Running back<\/p>\n
1. Nick Singleton, senior<\/p>\n
2. Kaytron Allen, senior<\/p>\n
3. Quinton Martin Jr., redshirt freshman<\/p>\n
4. Corey Smith, redshirt freshman<\/p>\n
In a similar way to Allar, both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have cemented their spots at the top of the depth chart while the battle behind the pair heats up. Quinton Martin Jr. was the third running back last season, and it appears that\u2019ll carry over into 2025.<\/p>\n
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Wide receiver Kyron Hudson (11) makes a catch during the 2025 Blue-White Game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The White team beat the Blue team 10-8.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
X-receiver<\/p>\n
1. Kyron Hudson, redshirt senior<\/p>\n
2. Peter Gonzalez, redshirt freshman<\/p>\n
Kyron Hudson transferred in from USC this season and is the clear favorite to start in the X position. Behind him looks to be Peter Gonzalez, who missed all of 2024 with injury but took reps with the top receivers in spring practice.<\/p>\n
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Wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) dives for the ball during the 2025 Blue-White Game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The White team beat the Blue team 10-8.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Z-receiver<\/p>\n
1. Devonte Ross, senior<\/p>\n
2. Tyseer Denmark, redshirt freshman<\/p>\n
3. Anthony Ivey, redshirt junior<\/p>\n
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Wide receiver Liam Clifford (2) runs the ball during the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and Southern Methodist on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Slot receiver<\/p>\n
1. Trebor Pena, sixth-year senior<\/p>\n
2. Liam Clifford, redshirt senior<\/p>\n
3. Kaden Saunders, redshirt junior<\/p>\n
Penn State is loaded at the slot receiver, with transfer Trebor Pena expected to lead the way. Liam Clifford should see a sizable role as well, while Kaden Saunders is looking to bounce back after missing 2024 with an injury.<\/p>\n
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Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) celebrates a touchdown at the Military Appreciation Game against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions crushed the Golden Flashes 56-0.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Tight end<\/p>\n
1. Khalil Dinkins, redshirt senior<\/p>\n
2. Luke Reynolds, sophomore<\/p>\n
3. Andrew Rappleyea, redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds are practically interchangeable for the TE1 position, but considering Reynolds missed the tail end of spring ball, Dinkins has the slight edge, especially with his experience.<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Drew Shelton (66) makes a tackle during the Penn State football game against Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lioins 20-13.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Left tackle<\/p>\n
1. Drew Shelton, redshirt junior<\/p>\n
2. J\u2019ven Williams, redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) blocks during the Penn State football Stripe Out game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Bruins 27-11.<\/p>\n
Sienna Pinney<\/p>\n
Left guard<\/p>\n
1. Vega Ioane, redshirt junior<\/p>\n
2. Alex Birchmeier, redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Nick Dawkins (53) points before the Penn State football game against Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Terrapins 44-7.<\/p>\n
Sienna Pinney<\/p>\n
Center<\/p>\n
1. Nick Dawkins, sixth-year senior<\/p>\n
2. Cooper Cousins, sophomore<\/p>\n
Nick Dawkins unexpectedly returned for another year, leaving him as the Nittany Lions\u2019 starting center for the second straight season. Behind him remains the young Cooper Cousins, who will likely be starting elsewhere on the line.<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins (5) blocks at Penn State’s Homecoming football game against Illinois in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Fighting Illini 21-7.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Right guard<\/p>\n
1. Cooper Cousins<\/p>\n
2. T.J. Shanahan Jr., redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
3. Alex Birchmeier<\/p>\n
The favorite to replace Sal Wormley seems to be Cousins, who burned his redshirt last season and has received plenty of praise from the coaching staff and his teammates. Slotting in behind him is Birchmeier and Texas A&M transfer T.J. Shanahan Jr., both of which compiled good springs.<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Nolan Rucci (72) blocks during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Nittany Lions beat the Broncos 31-14.<\/p>\n
Sienna Pinney<\/p>\n
Right tackle<\/p>\n
1. Nolan Rucci, redshirt senior<\/p>\n
2. Anthony Donkoh, redshirt sophomore<\/p>\n
3. J\u2019ven Williams<\/p>\n
Both Nolan Rucci and Anthony Donkoh sat out of spring ball with injuries, leaving J\u2019ven Williams the chance to see starting reps. Once the two are healthy, they\u2019ll be the top two right tackles.<\/p>\n
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE<\/p>\n