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Who were the second Penn State winter workout competitors of the day?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel02/27/25GregPickel
grunkemeyer
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State football has put the second of what will likely be six winter workout sessions this offseason in the books. After kicking off the highly-competitive hourlong morning drills back on Tuesday, the Lions returned to Holuba Hall again on Thursday. That, of course, means there is now a fresh batch of competitors of the day.

For the second time, a newcomer won the honor at receiver. After former USC Kyron Hudson picked up the competitor of the day nod earlier this week, Troy transfer Devonte Ross claimed it on Thursday. At quarterback, second-year Nittany Lion signal caller Ethan Grunkemeyer was the pick of position coach Danny O’Brien. The Ohio native will battle for the backup job behind Drew Allar. And, there were two repeat winners in the secondary. Cornerback Elliot Washington II took the honor for the second time in as many workouts on Thursday. And, safety Zakee Wheatley did so in the secondary. He was the first Nittany Lion to announce that he was coming back for another season.

“Sometimes it’s hard to put into
words how blessed I am to be able to wear the blue and white and play this beautiful game in front of the greatest fans in the world! Thinking about what we have accomplished so far as a team and what we have to still accomplish this season makes me excited!
These past 4 years have been amazing,” Wheatley wrote at the time.

“I have grown so much as a person here at penn state thanks to my teammates and coaches. I could not ask for a better group to learn from and to go into battle with everyday.”

Full list of Feb. 27 winter workout winners

Quarterback: Ethan Grunkemeyer

Running back: Tyler Holzworth

Wide receiver: Devonte Ross

Offensive line: Guard Alex Birchmeier

Defensive line: Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam

Linebacker: Ta’Mere Robinson

Cornerback: Elliot Washington II

Safety: Zakee Wheatley

Special teams: Long snapper Tyler Duzansky

Penn State winter workout winners tracker

Here’s the full list after two workouts:

Quarterback:Drew Allar (Feb. 25), Ethan Grunkemeyer (Feb. 27)

Running back: Quinton Martin (Feb. 25), Tyler Holzworth (Feb. 27)

Wide receiver:Kyron Hudson (Feb. 25), Devonte Ross (Feb. 27)

Tight end:Joey Schlaffer (Feb. 25), Luke Reynolds (Feb. 27)

Offensive line: Tackle Drew Shelton (Feb. 25), guard Alex Birchmeier (Feb. 27)

Defensive line: End Zuriah Fisher (Feb. 25), defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (Feb. 27)

Linebacker: Kari Jackson (Feb. 25), Ta’Mere Robinson (Feb. 27)

Cornerback: Elliot Washington II (Feb. 25, Feb. 27)

Safety: Zakee Wheatley (Feb. 25, Feb. 27)

Specialists: Punter Riley Thompson (Feb. 25),

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