Penn State assistant coaches name new round of winter workout standouts

Penn State football has announced its latest round of winter workout standouts.

For the second time this month, having started its on-field winter workout sessions with the full assistant coaching staff on Tuesday, the day’s top performers were recognized again for Thursday morning’s workout. Across the board, the staff made different selections from its Tuesday workout, save for one position and performer.

Nittany Lions Feb. 10 winter workout standouts

Leading the way at quarterback, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich highlighted redshirt freshman signal-caller Christian Veilleux as his competitor of the day. Veilleux is coming off a true freshman season in which he appeared in limited action behind senior Sean Clifford, who was named as Tuesday’s top competitor at the position.

Though serving as a backup, Veilleux rose from a third-string spot behind Ta’Quan Roberson into the backup role following Penn State’s 23-20 loss at Iowa on Oct. 9. Eventually seeing his first action for Clifford, who was ill, against Rutgers in November, Veilleux helped deliver a 28-0 win to the Nittany Lions on Senior Day at Beaver Stadium.

Moving through Penn State’s other top offensive performers in winter workouts on Thursday, the running back position saw what could be construed as an early assertion for Keyvone Lee. The rising junior is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he led the Nittany Lions in rushing with 530 yards and two touchdowns on 108 carries.

Facing a still-crowded backfield, Lee cemented his second-straight performer of the day nod from running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider. Despite losing Noah Cain to LSU, Devyn Ford, Caziah Holmes, and two early enrollees in Gatorade National Offensive Player of the Year Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen remain.

Winter workout #2 #LawnBoyz winner of the day! Back 2 back winner @KeyvoneL way to battle big dawg!!! 🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/RAWwntEP9R

— JaJuan Seider (@coachseider) February 10, 2022

Elsewhere, receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield recognized redshirt freshman Harrison Wallace over “a close one between a few of the guys.” Citing Wallace’s performance in the tire pull, Stubblefield said the effort distinguished the 6-foot-1, 190-pound performer.

At tight ends, assistant coach Ty Howle picked rising junior Theo Johnson as his standout. And, on the offensive line, coach Phil Trautwein tabbed Caedan Wallace as his top performer.

Defensive standout performers

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, up-and-comers were at the forefront of Thursday’s selections.

On the defensive line, 6-foot-3, 260-pound edge rusher Zuriah Fisher earned the recognition of assistant coach John Scott Jr. In the secondary, corners coach Terry Smith turned to senior Johnny Dixon. Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter, meanwhile, picked sophomore Jaylen Reed as his top performer.

And on special teams, new coordinator Stacy Collins selected Penn State fifth-year senior place kicker Jake Pinegar.

Linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz picked redshirt sophomore Tyler Elsdon.

Penn State winter workout standout selections

Quarterback: Sean Clifford (2/8), Christian Veilleux (2/10)

Running back: Keyvone Lee (2/8) (2/10)

Receiver: Jaden Dottin (2/8), Harrison Wallace (2/10)

Tight end: Tyler Warren (2/8), Theo Johnson (2/10)

Offensive line: Juice Scruggs (2/8), Caedan Wallace (2/10)

Defensive line: Nick Tarburton (2/8), Zuriah Fisher (2/10)

Linebacker: Jonathan Sutherland (2/8), Tyler Elsdon (2/10)

Corner: Kalen King (2/8), Johnny Dixon (2/10)

Safety: Ji’Ayir Brown (2/8), Jaylen Reed (2/10)

Special teams: Punter Barney Amor (2/8), Kicker Jake Pinegar (2/10)