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Penn State Football News: Rose Bowl injury report, players returning in 2023 and more

By Alec Whitaker

Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football is just one day away from facing Utah in the Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl media day availability on Saturday made a few things clearer for Penn State Football fans.

The Nittany Lions are set to face Utah in the Rose Bowl on Monday, and we may have a better idea of which players will return from injury for the big game.

Rose Bowl Injuries

Both offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and running back Keyvone Lee were spotted participating in practice this week. Wallace had been out of the lineup since the end of October while Lee was a no-show after September.

The running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen took over all the meaningful snaps once Lee’s absence began. Considering the way those two performed, it’s hard to imagine touches being taken away from them.

Defensive end Smith Vilbert, who has not played since the Outback Bowl, was also seen practicing.

On the negative side, star left tackle Olu Fashanu has not been seen at practice. He hasn’t played since being injured against Ohio State in October. True freshman Drew Shelton filled in nicely for Fashanu, but Utah will be his toughest test yet.

Players Returning for 2023

Speaking of Wallace, he confirmed he will be back next season, according to Blue White Illustrated. With Fashanu also coming back, the Nittany Lions will return four of the five starting offensive linemen from 2022. Center Juice Scruggs is the only starter who publicly announced he will move on after the Rose Bowl.

While he did not confirm either way, starting safety Keaton Ellis said he is ‘leaning toward’ coming back next season. This is according to Daniel Gallen of 247 Sports. Ellis has his “Covid year” remaining after burning his redshirt back in 2019. Ellis has 22 tackles and six pass breakups on the season. With Ji’Ayir Brown moving on after the season, it’s good to see a veteran possibly return to the safety group in 2023.

Portal News

Still no update on any of Penn State’s top three wide receiver transfer portal targets. Dante Cephas, Dont’e Thornton and Kaden Prather all still remain uncommitted heading into the new year.

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