Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown takes home top team award
Penn State football held its annual State College Quarterback Club banquet Sunday, recognizing the program’s outstanding performers throughout the 2022 season.
And, the awards were plentiful.
Coming out of a 10-2 campaign in which the Nittany Lions secured a Rose Bowl berth, the Penn State players that have helped guide the way spanned all areas of the field.
Team awards
At the forefront, safety Ji’Ayir Brown was named the Most Valuable Player on the team (as well as its top strength and conditioning performer). Broken down by defense and offense, Joey Porter Jr., and Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton earned distinctions for their performances on each side of the ball, respectively.
Given Brown’s impact on the Nittany Lions this season and head coach James Franklin’s subsequent praise throughout, his spot as the overall team MVP should come as no surprise.
“I don’t think he’s getting enough attention. I don’t think enough people are talking about him when it comes to college football awards when it comes to the NFL. His name should be all over the place,” Franklin told reporters on Nov. 15. “He’s playing his tail off. He makes his teammates better. And he’s able to impact the game, both in the run game and in the passing game. (He’s a) very well-rounded football player.”
Describing P.J. Mustipher as a similarly strong leader as Brown, the veteran defensive tackle also earned recognition throughout the program. One of six captains to be recognized, Mustipher also earned a nod for the Tim Shaw Thrive Award alongside Bryce Effner, each having overcome “adversities” while providing “inspiration” to teammates. He also came home with the Lions Pride “Outstanding Senior Player” Award with quarterback Sean Clifford and defensive end Nick Tarburton.
Other on-field recognition was delivered to Olu Fashanu (top offensive lineman), Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson (top defensive lineman), and Malick Meiga (outstanding special teams).
Other Penn State honors
Penn State developmental players to be recognized included Jan Mahlert (ST), Keon Wylie and Jake Wilson (D), and Jim Fitzgerald and Mahlert (O). Dom DeLuca and Tank Smith were named outstanding run-ons. Brenton Strange and Curtis Jacobs were named “Ultimate Teammates,” while Juice Scruggs, Jonathan Sutherland, and Mitch Tinsley were recognized as upholding “Core Values.”
Mahlert finished with the highest academic average at Penn State, Dvon Ellies was recognized for his public service, and Sebastian Constantini, Alex Furmanek, Charlie Katshir, Grayson Kline, Jake Pinegar, Cody Romano, Jaden Seider, and Marquis Wilson were recognized for the Quarterback Club Award.
Listed last, but certainly not least in the mind of Franklin, was Penn State’s Keystone Award to recognize “the guy that’s the glue behind the scenes, doing his job that maybe doesn’t get the fanfare.”
On this year’s squad, that distinction was bestowed upon Abdul Carter, Kalen King, and Juice Scruggs.
Penn State’s Rose Bowl media day is set for Friday. Follow Blue White Illustrated for complete coverage.
