Penn State spring camp two-a-days preview: Quarterback and defensive end

It’s the first week of spring practice! So to celebrate the return of Penn State football Blue White Illustrated is doing two-a-days. We’re previewing two positions daily to prepare you for what’s to come this spring. Remember to subscribe to BWI On YouTube so you don’t miss any of our spring practice content!

Penn State quarterback preview

We’ll start things off at quarterback, where the Nittany Lions fans have optimism like they haven’t in years and significant fears. So let’s start with the positive. Five-start quarterback Drew Allar looked great in spot duty last year and already has way-too-high expectations, with Heisman odds on the book in some places. He’s replacing long-time starter and Penn State fan whipping boy Sean Clifford, who delivered an 11-2 season and Rose Bowl win in his curtain call as Penn State’s starter. 

Allar represents the future for Penn State football and could elevate the team to the fan bases lofty expectations of a Big Ten title behind a strong offensive line, running game and tight end room. With so much of the offense returning in 2023, Allar, who is the presumed starter, might not need to do everything right away for the team to win.

But in spring camp, there’s a presumed competition with fellow second-year quarterback Beau Pribula. The Pennsylvania native is coming off a strong winter workout season where head strength coach Chuck Losey called him an elite athlete. 

The return of the Wildcat?

During his spring camp press conference, head coach James Franklin mentioned using Pribula in more than just a backup role. 

“There could be some situations where Beau actually gets more reps by the end of spring because I think there’s some things that that we may want to do with Beau to take advantage of his skill set and maybe create an opportunity for him to get some more experience, not only during spring ball but in games next year,” Franklin said.

The 6-2, 205-pound quarterback gets comparisons to former Penn State starter Trace McSorley for his gutsy, winning mentality and “it” factor. However, he might not have the size and arm strength of Allar, but Pribula has both a stronger arm and a bigger frame than McSorley. No matter who wins the spring competition, the future feels bright at quarterback. 

But other than freshman three-star quarterback Jaxon Smolik who is headed for a redshirt season, the Nittany Lions don’t have another scholarship quarterback on the roster. So for things to go Penn State’s way this spring, both second-year players need to exit into the summer healthy. 

Penn State defensive ends can be strength of the team

Several strong positions are heading into this spring for Penn State football. But no position boats the same top-end talent and promising depth as defensive end. 

According to PFF, Penn State returns 84 combined pressures between Chop Robinson and Adisa Issac, easily the most returning production in the Big Ten. Robinson generated more pressure than any edge defender last season, and Isaac came in sixth, making Penn State’s pass rush an easy favorite for the most dangerous in the conference. 

If last year was a breakout season for Robinson, 2023 could be his turn at superstardom. After a year at the defensive end and a full offseason in Penn State’s lifting program, the third-year defender is now 253 pounds. With the added weight, expect his performance against the run and power through contact to be even better. Likewise, Isaac had a solid return to form after an Achilles injury in 2021 and is now nearly two years removed from the incident. He returned this year to prove he can be a top pass rusher in the nation. 

James Franklin spring practice press conference

But Penn State’s pass rush isn’t done yet. Coming up behind are veteran linemen Amin Vanover and Zuriah Fisher. Vanover flashed disruptive potential with 12 defensive stops in limited duty. He was a consistent presence in the backfield for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz last season.

Fisher? He only came back from a bad knee injury in the same calendar year he suffered it. That’s not only amazing but means he’s obviously ahead of schedule to fight for Nick Tarburon’s run-defense-focused role next fall. 

Then of course, we come to Dani Dennis-Sutton. His development could super-charge Penn State’s pass rush and make it one of the most dominant units in the country. His size, power, and length helped him finish with three sacks, an interception, and two pass defenses last season despite his limited playing time. 

With Isaac returning for a final season, Robinson entering a breakout campaign, and Dennis-Sutton pushing for playing time, this is the deepest pass rush Penn State has ever assembled under head coach James Franklin.