Penn State opens a new era Saturday against Marshall, and the first real question is simple: who’s going to pop when the lights come on at Beaver Stadium?
With a first-year head coach in Matt Campbell and a roster packed with new faces, the Nittany Lions are still sorting out contributors in every phase. That makes the opener less about polish and more about which players and assistants can immediately tilt things in Penn State’s favor.
One of the biggest wild cards is the coaching staff itself, starting with D’Anton Lynn and Taylor Mouser. Lynn, a former Penn State cornerback, is the program’s fifth defensive coordinator in the last six years.
Mouser, meanwhile, arrived as Campbell’s offensive coordinator after serving in the same role at Iowa State in 2025. Penn State’s depth in the secondary could give Lynn room to get creative with safeties and cornerbacks, while Mouser may lean into multiple-tight-end looks.
He also coaches the tight ends.
On offense, Koby Howard is the kind of player who can change the feel of a game in a hurry. The 5-11, 203-pound Howard showed that last season, when he became a playmaker in the second half. He’s also a willing blocker in the run game, and he’ll be worth watching because he’s dangerous once the ball is in his hands after the catch.
Up front, Malachi Goodman may end up being one of the most important names on the field. Campbell and Mouser have both praised the redshirt freshman throughout August camp.
At 6-6 and 330 pounds, he has the size and strength to grow into a dominant left tackle, but the early-season reality is usually messier for young linemen. Goodman’s job is a big one: protect starting quarterback Rocco Becht’s blind side.
There’s also a quarterback wrinkle to keep an eye on with Alex Manske. The redshirt freshman transfer from Iowa State missed spring drills while recovering from open-heart surgery, but he’s been throwing with a strong arm in August practices. If Penn State gets out to a big lead in the second half, Manske could be the one who sees the field.
Two true freshmen from Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class have also pushed themselves into the conversation early. Amarion Jackson, a wide receiver, caught the attention of Campbell and his staff during the early stages of spring drills.
At 6-2 and 192 pounds, he brings size and athleticism. Josiah Zayas, a safety, was a defensive standout in August and could end up moving around the secondary in multiple roles.
In Other News...
Two Former Penn State Rookies Face An Uncertain NFL Turn
A pair of former Penn State rookies are suddenly back on the open market after the latest round of NFL roster cuts. Offensive lineman Nolan Rucci was released by the Indianapolis Colts after dealing with injuries in training camp, while long snapper Tyler Duzansky was let go by the Las Vegas Raiders as they trimmed down their roster ahead of the season.
Rucci went undrafted in 2026 but had still managed to start games for Indianapolis, giving him a path that now depends on what comes next. Duzansky, who signed a three-year deal with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent, lost the long snapper job to Alex Ward and could return if he clears waivers, leaving both former Nittany Lions in an uncertain spot as teams settle their final plans. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State NFL Weekend Brought A Brutal Reality For One Former Star
It was a rough NFL weekend for a former Penn State star already facing a long road back. The Green Bay Packers placed Micah Parsons on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, which means he will miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season as he continues recovering from ACL surgery.
The bad news did not stop there for Penn State alums trying to hang onto roster spots around the league, either. A handful of former Nittany Lions were waived during final cutdowns, leaving them in limbo as they wait to see whether another team claims them or brings them back on a practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Just Got A Reminder About Their QB Depth
Virginia Techs quarterback decision has a Penn State angle attached to it, since Ethan Grunkemeyer will open the upcoming season as the Hokies starter after transferring out of Happy Valley. The move brings a familiar name back into the conversation for Penn State fans, because Grunkemeyer was forced into action late last season and ended up starting the final six games after the starter went down with an injury.
James Franklin confirmed the choice and had plenty of praise for Grunkemeyers approach, pointing to his work ethic, decision-making and leadership as he prepared for a fresh start. For Penn State, it is also a reminder of how much depth matters at quarterback, especially when a backup who got meaningful reps in a pinch is now heading elsewhere with a chance to run his own offense. [Read more 🡒]