Penn State is already experimenting with one of its newest quarterbacks, and Peyton Falzone has started taking snaps somewhere other than under center.
Falzone, a freshman from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, has begun working at tight end this week, according to a program spokesman. Blue-White Illustrated first reported the move Wednesday. It’s not yet clear whether the switch is temporary or something Penn State plans to keep exploring during training camp.
The Nittany Lions opened camp with five scholarship quarterbacks, including fellow freshman Kase Evans, who originally signed with Matt Campbell at Iowa State last year. Falzone had been working at quarterback when camp began, but Penn State quarterbacks coach Jake Waters said Aug. 7 in State College that the staff was also mixing in different kinds of reps for him.
Since arriving at Penn State in January, Falzone has added more than 20 pounds, Waters said. He’s listed on the roster at 6-5 and 216 pounds, and the staff has been intrigued by what that frame can do.
"He's with us at quarterback and continuing to work and grow every single day on how to be the best quarterback possible," Waters said last week. "But then also, given the type of athlete he is and how big he is, ... we're going to kind of let his body just go naturally where it's going to go. A guy with that type of athleticism, it definitely opens up possitilities and opportunities to do some really cool stuff with him."
Falzone signed with Penn State in December, just a few days before Campbell was hired as the head coach. He came in as a 3-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and was ranked as the No. 27 quarterback in the country.
His high school résumé at Nazareth included 2,136 passing yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. His senior season was cut short after four games, but he still threw for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns before suffering a broken clavicle in his left shoulder, the non-throwing side. After rehab, he joined Penn State during its preparation for the Pinstripe Bowl and enrolled in January.
The athletic traits have stood out from the start. In high school, Falzone was listed at 6-5 and 200 pounds and reportedly ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash with a 38-inch vertical jump.
"I've said to other people, there's no doubt that he's the best athlete I've ever had an opportunity to train," said Ohio-based quarterbacks trainer Brad Maendler, who worked with Falzone last year. "The things that he brings to the table are pretty crazy."
Penn State’s interest in using him beyond standard quarterback duties has been visible for a while. During the final spring practice, Falzone wore a blue contact jersey instead of the purple non-contact jersey worn by the other quarterbacks so he could run the ball in practice, Campbell said.
"We really kind of took the purple jersey [off him] because he's had some impressive moments in the spring where he can run with the football and do some different things," Campbell said. "How can that guy help us down the road as we continue to move forward?"
Waters said the staff has been trying Falzone in multiple roles on offense, and special teams work is also on the table. The possibility of quarterback runs is part of the discussion, too.
"Potentially getting him on some quarterback runs early," Waters said. "...
You can get super creative with guys that can throw and then run too. So you never know exactly where we would get to him, but the possibilities for him are wide open with his athletic ability."
Waters also said the staff has not ruled out seeing whether Falzone can handle catching the ball.
"We might get to that, but I'm not sure right now. ... We're working every day to continue to grow, and he's still a young puppy.
He just got here. He eame early, and he's got a ton of room to grow, and his body is obviously changing in a positive way, too."
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