These newcomers will bear watching in the Lions' spring game
By Nate Bauer
Asked to encapsulate the biggest notables going into his program’s spring practices, Penn State head coach James Franklin pointed to three new coordinators and the sense of urgency necessary for the program before its season opener against West Virginia in August. Leading a team coming off a 10-3 season, notching double-digit wins for the fifth time in his 10th season with the Nittany Lions, Franklin then pointed to something markedly different in his mind.
“I think one of the things that jumps out right away is just our depth. We’re bigger and stronger and have more competition across positions than I think we’ve had in the past,” Franklin said last month. “Just the number on our roster is greater than it’s been in the past. I think last year we were at 106 or something at this time, and I think we’re at 125 right now.
“That also is going to be exciting for practice. I think we’re going to be able to practice, in terms of reps, in a little bit of a different way.”
Blue-White Game expectations
Both strikingly simple and complex in its implications, the straightforward reality for Penn State this spring has been its opportunity to encourage true competition.
While there have been offseason departures that include what could be as many as 10 Nittany Lions selected in the NFL Draft later this month, there are just as many returning players who otherwise might eye assumed starting positions next season. But, in welcoming another tightly curated group of six transfers this semester, as well as another 16 early enrollees from the Class of 2024, plus three new walk-ons, Penn State’s roster expansion created conditions that could be used to ensure a competitive Blue-White Game.
“We’re hopeful that we’re going to be able to have more of a traditional spring game, which I think has become more and more challenging the last couple of years,” said Franklin, acknowledging the sport’s move to skills competitions over game conditions in recent years. “I think being able to go out there and compete in a spring game-type setting… will be important for our team.”
Totaling 25 in all, much of the group that is new to the program this spring will get its first opportunity to play in front of a crowd at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Set for 2 p.m., with the game to be broadcast by the Big Ten Network, here is a look at the newcomers we’re most interested to see take the field this weekend:
Penn State newcomers to watch
Julian Fleming
No position at Penn State for the 2024 season is under the same scrutiny as the receivers. And no savior is more hoped for among the Nittany Lion fan base than Julian Fleming.
Saturday afternoon, against Penn State’s talented depth in the cornerback room, should offer an early glimpse into the type of player Fleming can be for the Nittany Lions this year.
Can he get open consistently? Can he win contested catches? Has a connection been established with quarterback Drew Allar?
Following a 2023 campaign in which the Nittany Lions’ passing offense just didn’t ever truly take flight, even the limited glimpse the Blue-White Game provides could set a baseline of expectations for the coming season.
A.J. Harris
Given the buzz surrounding A.J. Harris this spring, his showing on Saturday will naturally be of interest. What’s particularly intriguing, however, is the way he could reshape the conversation for Penn State’s cornerbacks room heading into the summer months.
With the losses of Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy, each of whom is likely to hear his name called in the NFL Draft later this month, the Nittany Lions were facing some level of uncertainty in Terry Smith’s room, even with the return of a seasoned performer in Cam Miller. But, by adding Harris and fellow transfer Jalen Kimber to the mix this spring – with Franklin noting last week that Kimber has “a lot on his plate right now” – the infusion of fierce competition has only helped spur on the room this spring.
Cooper Cousins
Back by popular demand, true freshman center Cooper Cousins, in the words of other people.
“We got a lot of good young guys that just came in, and Cooper Cousins is gonna be a dog,” veteran tackle Caedan Wallace said last month. “Just the way he practices. He’s super aggressive. Kind of reminds me of younger versions of me and Olu and Hunter. The way that he’s angry if he loses a rep and always wants to dominate instead of just winning. He makes it his mindset. His body is huge. He’s a freshman and he’s like, 6-5, 6-6. Great weight, great distribution.”
Even for reporters permitted to catch a few minutes of practice each week, the circumstances don’t allow for a proper understanding of who and what Cousins is right now. Publicly acknowledged as a competitor with Nick Dawkins for the vacated starting center spot this offseason, Cousins’ performance on Saturday against a talented, veteran group of Penn State defensive tackles should serve as a nice early litmus test.
Nolan Rucci
Staying on the offensive line, Nolan Rucci has arrived at a critical time in Phil Trautwein’s room. With Wallace and Olu Fashanu off to the NFL, the consistency of back-to-back seasons of tackle play, including Drew Shelton as a third, has been upended this spring with Shelton shelved for surgery rehabilitation.
The result has been a spring practice session where Rucci and Peach Bowl breakout Anthony Donkoh have battled it out at right tackle. And, by all accounts, the competition there has been tight and encouraging.
While this space is drawing attention to newcomers only, that spot and all of its participants will rightfully be watched closely on Saturday.
Ethan Grunkemeyer
Already the focus of January, February, and March buzz, Ethan Grunkemeyer’s importance to Penn State in 2024 jumped another notch with news of a significant injury setback to rising redshirt freshman quarterback Jaxon Smolik this spring.
No longer in a position to just be a nice surprise for the Nittany Lions as a development piece in the room, Grunkemeyer is in the line of succession and considerably more critical to bring along quickly.
Very nice things have been said about him, “doing a really good job” according to Allar, and Saturday should serve as a good early look at Grunkemeyer’s ability and preparation achieved thus far in his young collegiate career.
Honorable mention picks
Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, Luke Reynolds, Xavier Gilliam
More of a look-ahead, these guys’ level of intrigue is tempered slightly by the crowded competition they face in their respective rooms.
Nonetheless, these true freshmen have all buzzed at varying times in their first months on campus and now, in spring practices. They should all have an opportunity to offer a taste of their potential moving forward beginning with the Blue-White Game.
