Five Penn State offensive players to watch this weekend
Penn State football takes the field on Saturday at 2 pm for the annual Blue-White game. To get you ready for the game, here are five offensive players to keep an eye out for during the game.
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5) Khalil Dinkins
Penn State’s top tight ends, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, aren’t participating in spring ball this year, leaving third-year player Khalil Dinkins as the top player.
He flashed at times last season for Penn State in non-conference action, finishing with four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Penn State loves using three tight ends to create mismatch problems for opposing defenses and Dinkins’ athleticism and catching skills are good. It will be illuminating to see how he’s developed as a blocker this offseason.
4) Vega Ioane
I have yet to find someone who opens their mouth to talk about guard Vega Ioana that doesn’t start raving about his abilities. From head coach James Franklin all the way down to his teammates, Ioane’s size, athleticism, and ability keep coming up.
It’s not easy to pick out interior offensive linemen and their contributions to a given play, but Ioane is hard to miss at 6-4, 352. Ioane has split time between guard and center this spring, trying to find the best way to get him on the field as much as possible. So if you’re in the stands or watching on TV Saturday, look for 71. He’s hard to miss.
3) Tre Wallace
Throughout the spring, head coach James Franklin has talked about two receivers that have stood out this spring. Veteran KeAndre-Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace.
While we’ve seen an extended amount of Lambert-Smith on the field, Wallace is still a relatively new player to Penn State fans. He caught 19 passes for 273 yards last season and was a big-play threat for the Nittany Lions in several games. So what does that progress look like? Watching him run routes against the Penn State secondary will be an exciting matchup and could result in some big plays for fans.
2) Beau Pribula
Penn State fans may have already given someone else the starting quarterback job, but nobody told Beau Pribula. The ultra-competitive Pennsylvania native has been battling for the position all offseason and will get his chance to shine against the first and second-team defense on Saturday.
While his legs won’t be much of a factor, thanks to the traditional don’t-hit-the-quarterback rules in effect, he can still show off. Pribula is an underrated passer at the position thanks to his athleticism. And like most of Mike Yurcich’s quarterback recruits, he’s got a fantastic mind for the position. He’ll have the chance to show that off.
1) Drew Allar
Here’s the problem with top-ten lists. Number one is always obvious! Of course Drew Allar is the number one reason fans will pile into Beaver Stadium Saturday. Allar’s skills and development are the main ingredients that could make or break Penn State’s 2023 season. The team’s Big Ten championship aspirations are real if the light fully comes on for the 6-5 passer.
Allar’s game is predicated on doing the hard things at the position. He has the arm to make difficult throws that can change games and seasons. Penn State will still use offensive production aides like RPO, read option and play action, but if Allar is up to it, he can transform the offense. It’s not just about throwing deep ball, it’s about hitting the correct window and making the best play available instead of taking the safe option.
But it takes a special player to elevate to that level each week, especially in their first season. Allar’s journey to that destination started the moment he stepped on campus but for fans, they get to see it for the first time on Saturday.
That’s our look at the five most interesting offensive players to watch on Saturday during the Blue-White Game. Don’t forget to sign up for our Spring-Game special. Get four months of premium access for just tell dollars.
