Penn State among college football teams with best newcomers: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for May 24 include a ranking of college football’s best incoming players, headlines of the day, and more.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with a look at the top incoming classes across college football. ESPN combined Class of 2024 signees and transfer additions to make their rankings. Texas, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Miami, and Oregon round out the top five. Penn State didn’t make that group, nor the top 10. But, it did crack the top 25, checking in at No. 21 overall.
“Penn State may seem like an odd addition to this list at first glance,” Craig Haubert and Billy Tucker write. “The Nittany Lions were not overly active adding prospects in the portal and their freshmen may have limited production in year one. This isn’t about quantity, though. They added enough impact players to ensure they’re part of the mix in the expanded playoff race and an increasingly competitive Big Ten.”
The duo made special note of what lineman Cooper Cousins and running back Quinton Martin bring to the table. On the transfer side of things, it should go without saying that receiver Julian Fleming tops the list.
“Fleming alone could dictate the success of Penn State’s transfer class,” Haubert and Tucker write. “A five-star in 2020, Fleming can justify his inclusion on this list by realizing his potential and harnessing his impressive blend of size, speed and body control. Fleming never broke through among a talented receiver group at Ohio State. He’s now back in his home state and primed to step into a No. 1 role at a position of need. He has breakout potential, but could hamper Penn State’s playoff hopes if he fails to produce.
“AJ Harris, a highly ranked 2023 prospect, is a big addition to the secondary. Time is on his side, but he could be a plug-and-play addition. Nolan Rucci has experience within the conference and will help fill the void up front following multiple NFL departures.”
Headlines of the day
Penn State Football 2024 Forecast: Does James Franklin Have a Playoff Staff?: Ralph, SI
Penn State locks in official visit with four-star offensive tackle Nolan Davenport: Snyder, BWI
It’s time for Penn State football to sport the black and pink: Linderman, Daily Collegian
When is Penn State football Lift for Life in 2024? Date, time, and other details to know: Pickel, BWI
Pittsburgh is hosting the 2026 NFL draft. Which Penn State players could be selected in the Steel City?: McGonigal, PennLive
10 Penn State football thoughts 100 days before West Virginia: Pickel, BWI
Quote of the day
“They’ve been on me for a long time, so it’s been a lot of the same stuff honestly. We’re just continuing to build on our relationship. We’ve been talking two or three times a week and it’s been cool. I can’t wait to get back up there and see what they’re really about. I think I have a good feel for Penn State, but I want to try and get an even better feel before I commit.”
—Class of 2025 Maryland receiver Jeff Exinor on his relationship with PSU.
