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Four thoughts on Penn State Football’s loaded 2023 recruiting class

By Alec Whitaker

Penn State head coach James Franklin gives out high-fives to fans in the student section before the start of a Big 10 battle against #2 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 102922 Psuosu
Penn State head coach James Franklin gives out high-fives to fans in the student section before the start of a Big 10 battle against #2 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 102922 Psuosu /
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Treasure Coast”s quarterback George Roberts (left) gets hit by King Mack of St. Thomas Aquins, and pushed out of bounds during the first quarter of play at the South County Stadium on Friday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Port St. Lucie. St. Thomas Aquinas won 21-7.Tcn Hsfb Tc Hosts Sta 02
Treasure Coast”s quarterback George Roberts (left) gets hit by King Mack of St. Thomas Aquins, and pushed out of bounds during the first quarter of play at the South County Stadium on Friday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Port St. Lucie. St. Thomas Aquinas won 21-7.Tcn Hsfb Tc Hosts Sta 02 /

A Perfect Match

While this class will not follow up the 2022 class inside the top ten, it’s still a special class that complements the 2022 one well.

Let’s start on the offensive line. The Nittany Lions brought in two offensive linemen that were ranked inside the top 50 recruits in the country. That’s the first time James Franklin has signed two offensive linemen ranked that high in the same class. With the progress the offensive line made this season, this is a huge development.

Linebacker is another position the Nittany Lions crushed it at in the 2023 cycle. There were legitimate concerns about Penn State’s linebacker depth heading into the 2022 season. Well, Abdul Carter emerged as a star and Keon Wylie continues his development. Those two 2022 signees will soon be joined by Tony Rojas, Kaveion Keys and Ta’Mere Robinson. All three are 4-star recruits and all three are ballers.

While some older guys like Curtis Jacobs, Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon should be back in 2023, this young corps at linebacker is very promising.

In terms of building more depth, two positions will get a boost from the 2023 class. They are running back and cornerback.

Everyone knows how good Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are, but Penn State went through the second half of the season as those two being the only scholarship running backs on the roster. That cannot continue. With London Montgomery and Cameron Wallace now signed, running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider can feel good about the depth of his group through at least the 2024 season.

At cornerback, Penn State will lose Joey Porter Jr. to the draft and Jeffrey Davis Jr. decided to transfer. That left Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, Daquan Hardy, Marquis Wilson and Cam Miller as the only scholarship corners left on the roster.  This group is extremely talented, but that’s just not enough depth.

Elliot Washington and Zion Tracy will now join this group, as will at least one of King Mack and Lamont Payne. The Nittany Lions may still need another veteran via the transfer portal, but this group looks solid heading into 2023.

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