Penn State got back to work Monday morning, and the setting told the story before the first snap. After rain rolled through the State College area Sunday night, the Nittany Lions faced a hot, humid practice on the outdoor fields between Holuba Hall and the Lasch Football Building. With the season opener against Marshall now 19 days away, camp has reached the part where the grind starts to show.
That wear and tear was visible in who was missing and who was limited. Penn State is deep into the dog days of a physical preseason, and the sideline list reflected that. Even so, there was some encouraging movement on the defensive side, where a couple of potential contributors are trending toward returns either right at the start of the season or soon after.
The work ethic and structure of camp, meanwhile, are exactly what some players expected. That includes linebacker Kooper Ebel, who said the approach under coach Matt Campbell has been consistent for the Iowa State transfers who know him well.
"Coach Campbell's not changing for anyone," linebacker Kooper Ebel said. "I would say this has been a very similar training camp to all the previous ones.
… They've all been cookie cutter, the same. So yeah, same deal.
He's not changing for anyone."
This update focuses on what was seen on the defensive side of the ball. Tyler Donohue is covering the offense, while Mark Brennan and Grace Brennan are handling photos, videos and additional Monday updates.
For fans looking for full access to the coverage this month and through the 2026 season, Lions247 is offering 60% off an annual VIP subscription or $1 for the first month, a deal that runs right up to the opener.
In Other News...
Penn State Is Still Waiting On A Key Tight End Return
Penn States tight end room has had to keep moving without one of its most experienced pieces this spring. Gabe Burkle, a redshirt senior and Iowa State transfer, is expected to be one of the Nittany Lions top options at the position when healthy, but he is still working his way back from the ACL injury that cut into his 2025 season and limited him to nine games.
Even with Burkle sidelined from practice, his influence has not disappeared from the room. He has been helping younger tight ends get comfortable in the offense and sharpen their skills, a useful presence for a group that is still sorting out its depth and development. For Penn State, the timeline on Burkles return remains a meaningful subplot because his availability could shape how quickly the position settles in once the season pressure ramps up. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State's Rebuilt Backfield Is Drawing Early National Attention
Penn States reworked backfield is already getting noticed beyond State College, with Carson Hansen and James Peoples both landing on the 2026 Doak Walker Award Watch List. The honor goes to the nations top running backs, and it gives an early hint that the Nittany Lions believe they have added real punch to a rushing attack now being shaped under new head coach Matt Campbell.
Hansen arrived from Iowa State, while Peoples came over from Ohio State, and both are expected to factor heavily as Penn State tries to establish itself on the ground again. The award race will tighten as the season goes on, with semifinalists due in November and the winner set to be announced in December, so this is only the first checkpoint for a pair of backs with plenty still to prove. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces A Huge Recruiting Test With Elite 2028 Linebacker
Penn State is already laying the groundwork for its 2028 recruiting class, with three commitments in place and contact spreading across several positions. One of the early names worth watching is four-star linebacker Skylar Alston of Raleigh, N.C., a prospect whose profile fits neatly with a program that has long sold itself on developing linebackers as well as anyone in the country. He has already made the rounds on the visit circuit, including an unofficial stop in Happy Valley, and his recruitment is shaping up as the kind of multi-school battle that tends to stretch well beyond the summer.
For Penn State, the challenge is not just getting Alston on campus again, but making the connection feel deeper than a first impression. The Nittany Lions will look to lean on their linebacker tradition as they build this relationship, and a possible fall game-day visit could give them another chance to separate themselves from the pack. For now, though, the race remains crowded, and Penn State still has to prove it can turn early interest into real traction. [Read more 🡒]