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Penn State receives strong outlook in ESPN's future power rankings

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel06/12/25GregPickel
ESPN shakes up Top 25 rankings based on trajectory of college programs over next 2 football seasons
On3

Penn State finished the 2024 season as one of the top five teams in the final Associated Press top 25. It will start the 2025 season there and has a case to take the No. 1 spot. Whether or not it does, though, is not the sole focus of a new set of future power rankings from ESPN. Instead, longtime college football reporter Adam Rittenberg aimed to rank which teams will be the best both this year and next by combining their current and future quarterback situations, offensive and defensive line outlooks, coaching staffs, roster management, and star power. His picks headline today’s newsstand.

The Nittany Lions check in at No. 6. Texas leads the way, followed by Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and Notre Dame.

“There is plenty [of star power] for 2025 as [Drew] Allar, [Nick] Singleton, [Kaytron] Allen and [Dani] Dennis-Sutton will be on the national radar,” Rittenberg writes. “Pena could be among the Big Ten’s top receivers and several others are worth watching, including Ioane, defensive backs A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley and linebackers Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca.

“James Franklin reached his second Big Ten title game and secured his first two CFP victories in 2024, but the “Big Game James” label still will follow him, especially in a 2025 season packed with pressure. He retained talented offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and much of the staff, and made a major splash by hiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Ohio State.”

You can read the full future power rankings here.

Penn State headlines of the day

Rising offensive lineman confirms he’ll take official visit Penn State this weekend: Snyder, BWI

Penn State Hockey: Assistant Keith Fisher Named Head Coach at Lindenwood: Wogenrich, SI

On3 Scouting Director Charles Power evaluates Penn State cornerback recruit Amauri Polydor: Snyder, BWI

Penn State freshman DE Yvan Kemajou in favorable spot for expanded role with ‘monster work ethic’: Alenstein, Daily Collegian

‘He just works’: Drew Allar’s approach, potential fuel Penn State’s ambitions: Bauer, BWI

2028 New Jersey CB Phoenix Evans has early offers from national programs: Simmons, On3

Quote of the day

“I think for starters, Amauri Polydor is a good athlete and shows the ability to track the football in coverage. Those are the two main things that have stood out to me when evaluating him up to this point. He has solid height at over six feet, and I think he’s going to continue filling out his frame.

“He’s also shown some impressive gains with his athleticism, and you could see that when you watch his junior film. Polydor is a smooth, natural mover. He’s fluid in his back pedal and looks to be very coordinated. I think that’s important when you’re evaluating a cornerback who doesn’t play a ton on offense.”

On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power on new PSU commit Amauri Polydor.

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