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Big Ten Media Days will head to Las Vegas in 2025; when could Penn State be on hand?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel02/21/25GregPickel
Greg Katz - Big Ten Media Days
(Photo courtesy of the Big Ten Conference)

Penn State football will send head coach James Franklin and a few players to the Big Ten’s preseason media days later this year. That’s an annual tradition and serves as the unofficial kickoff to every new season. However, what is new is the location. After being held for years in Chicago and most recently at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the league announced Friday that this year’s Media Days event will take palce July 22-24 in Las Vegas, Nev. The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will serve as the host for the 18 Big Ten teams that will be on hand.

“Additional information on school attendance order, credentials, media schedules, hotels and student-athlete attendees will be announced at a later date,” the conference said in a news release.

Penn State will be featured on one of those days. But, Big Ten Network will provide live coverage of all three. It marks the 12th time Franklin will attend the annual event. But, it’s the first time he will do so on the west coast. The move is not a major surprise, as after last year’s expansion to include Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, moving this event elsewhere was always a possibility. Indianapolis will still be a staple on the conference’s schedule, though, as its title game will stay there through at least 2028.

“The city and the community have really embraced the event,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti told The Indy Star last July. “It’s impactful. You can really feel it when you’re there.

“Track record is really important. They’re in position to do this because they’ve been so successful. Everybody that’s involved with the game in Indianapolis has shown that dedication throughout the (game’s history). We have 100% confidence that will continue.”

Who could Penn State send to Big Ten Media Days?

Traditionally, Franklin has picked three seniors to travel with him to media days. Olu Fashanu is the only junior who has made the trip. But, he was still a fourth-year player after redshirting in year one. Penn State will have plenty of options.

Quarterback Drew Allar seems like a shoo-in. Linebacker Dominic DeLuca is a good possibility, as well. Other candidates include defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, tackles Nolan Rucci and Drew Shelton, center Nick Dawkins (who went a year ago), defensive tackle Zane Durant, safety Zakee Wheatley, and receiver Liam Clifford, among others.

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