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Penn State Football: 3 Players with the Most to Prove in the Blue-White Game – Offense Edition

By Morgan Chapman

Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kaden Saunders (7) looks for a way around safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The defense defeated the offense 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kaden Saunders (7) looks for a way around safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The defense defeated the offense 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jerry Cross

STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Tight end Brenton Strange #86 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with tight end Theo Johnson #84 and offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba #78 after scoring a touchdown against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Tight end Brenton Strange #86 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with tight end Theo Johnson #84 and offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba #78 after scoring a touchdown against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Penn State tight end Jerry Cross enters his redshirt freshman season in 2023. He has yet to record any statistics in his career but keep in mind he missed the majority of his freshman season due to injury.

Cross was a consensus 4-star prospect coming out of high school. The reason why I believe he has a lot to prove is there is only one spot up for grabs for the 2023 season.

The #1 TE on the roster will be Theo Johnson, #2 will be Tyler Warren, and the #3 TE is yet to be determined.

Cross will be in the mix for that 3rd TE role; however, he will be competing against Khalil Dinkins, Andrew Rappleyea, Joey Schlaffer, and Mega Barnwell for playing time.

Cross has all of the talent to be the next great Penn State football tight end, the question is can he be impactful during the 2023 season? I am less concerned with his receiving skills than I am with his ability to run and pass block.

I believe in the Blue-White game he needs to have a big day to prove to the coaching staff that he is fully capable of earning more playing time. I would expect to see him out there a lot during this game, let’s see how much he has grown from year 1 to year 2.

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