Penn State is still early in fall camp, but Matt Campbell is already starting to get a clearer read on his roster - and he knows the biggest answers are still ahead.
The Nittany Lions have only been in camp for about a week and have spent just a couple of days in full pads, but the next step comes quickly. Penn State will scrimmage twice in Beaver Stadium over the coming weeks, beginning Saturday, and Campbell expects that first live look to sharpen everything.
“I think Saturday will probably tell us a lot more,” Campbell said following Thursday’s spring practice. “We get our first real live scrimmage in terms of quality reps of live football, so I think we’ll learn a lot more ...”
Even with that bigger test still waiting, camp has already revealed a few things. Penn State is trying to sort out its identity in a couple of key spots, including along the offensive line and at wide receiver, a position group that has drawn plenty of criticism.
Campbell has also leaned on one of his usual early-camp routines to help the team bond. The players are staying in a hotel together to start camp, something he has done since his days at Toledo.
“I’ve done it since the University of Toledo and I just feel like it’s tricky building a team, and purposely I get to select the roommates, which is part of my joy,” Campbell said with a smile. “But I just feel like it’s an opportunity. We know the noise that comes with college football, and for 10 days we get them where students are starting to come back on campus.
“Man, we’re gonna - by the time we leave the hotel on Saturday, you’re getting closer to getting into game week preparation, and you’re also getting close to the noise. But for 10 days to get fall camp started, it’s just us and football.”
One of the most intriguing position battles is in the backfield, where Penn State believes it has three running backs it can trust. Carson Hansen brings familiarity after following the staff from Iowa State.
James Peoples arrives with Big Ten experience from Ohio State. And Quinton Martin Jr., the returning redshirt sophomore, may be the most naturally gifted of the group.
Martin and Peoples both had what Campbell called “really special days” in practice this week.
“Quinton is 215 (pounds), which I think is - probably between 215 and 220, we’d love him to live there, and I think for him to put that weight on and sustain it in fall camp has proven that that’s real weight, and that I think he’s got the ability to continue to progress himself forward, which is a win for us,” Campbell said.
“And James Peoples - if you said, who was the star of yesterday’s practice? - I think there’s no question James had a really special day. I think with those running backs, it’s a different scheme.
It’s a different scheme for James. It’s certainly a different scheme for Q.
And I think what you feel like is every day those guys are more and more comfortable in what we’re asking them to do.”
Peoples made his mark in more than one way. He caught the ball well, scored a touchdown and showed up in the run game, but Campbell was most impressed by his work in protection.
“I think the biggest thing I would say about James is there were two critical pass blitz situations, and he had the ability to step up and had huge touchdown throw blocks on pressures,” Campbell said. “And, again, we would say great tailbacks that we’ve always had can do three things really well.
They can run the ball, but they got to be able to catch the ball in the backfield. But most importantly, they got to be able to pass protect, or you can’t keep them in the game.
And I thought he had a really all-around great day yesterday.”
There were a few other developments worth noting as camp moved forward. Former four-star 2026 recruit Peyton Falzone has switched from quarterback to tight end, a move that should fit his athleticism, size and physical style better than playing under center.
Campbell also said defensive back Jeremiah Cooper and linebacker Alex Tatsch are continuing to work back from injuries and are progressing well. He expects both to have major roles on defense once they are healthy.
At defensive tackle, Campbell pointed to Siale Taupaki, Keanu Williams and Alijah Carnell as the most consistent performers so far. He also said Armstrong Nnodim has picked things up after dealing with an early injury, while Dallas Vakalahi got off to a strong start before being sidelined.
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Hansen has taken to his new setting quickly, and he has made it clear that the running backs coaches have helped speed up that transition. For Penn State, the appeal goes beyond another name in the rotation, because Hansen brings a downhill mindset and leadership traits that could give the group a more rugged identity before long, even if the full shape of that backfield still has to be sorted out. [Read more 🡒]