Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Drew Shelton, Nick Dawkins, Vega Ione, A.J. Harris, and the list of returning Penn State football players doesn't end there.
College football analysts have been putting their bold predictions out for the 2025-26 season, and the Nittany Lions are at the forefront of it all.
It was Joel Klatt and Phil Steele putting their cards in Penn State's hands to win the College Football Playoff title then J.D. PicKell saying Allar is "the most sure thing in the [Big Ten]."
Now, Adam Breneman put his opinion into the mix.
Adam Breneman says the Nittany Lions "has everything it takes" to win the College Football Playoffs in 2025-26
The former Penn State tight end from 2013 to 2015 and co-founder of The College Sports Company listed out all the pieces Penn State has for the upcoming season the — pieces that would take a catastrophe for them to not fit together.
"The chips are all on the table right now," Breneman said, "and I think it's time to go get it done. And if there's one guy that's great at keeping the team focused and not thinking too much about the future, it's [head] coach [James] Franklin. They are built for this moment, and I'm excited to see it play out.
"And you can look at last season. I mean, you're a play away from the national championship game with some real pieces missing on that offense and on the team. Now they have some big additions, and getting [defensive coordinator] Jim Knowles has been huge."
Knowles, who has both head coaching and defensive coordinator experience, joins Penn State after his 2022-24 stint with reigning national champions Ohio State. With the Buckeyes and last two seasons with Oklahoma State, his defense ranked No. 1 in the country and No, 2 in both scoring defense and third down efficiency.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Knowles will be working with one of the best secondaries in NCAA football. Harris, who is predicted to be a first-round NFL draft pick, will be leading the cornerback group with Elliot Washington II and Audavion Collins right behind.
On the other end of the field, the Nittany Lions maintained offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki whose offense ranked No. 1 in first downs last season.
"I mean, it is about as 'all-in' as you can imagine in college football," Breneman said.
Even with Allar causing college football fans to question if he's really worth all the hype, the additions to the offense cannot be overlooked.
Penn State added Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson, and Trebor Pena to the wide receiver group. After a season of butter-fingers, for lack of better terms, these three transfers bring depth to a position that is necessary for a CFP title win.
In the backfield, of course, are Singleton and Allen. The duo that just keeps getting better and better from their star performances as freshmen. The now-rising seniors have no limit as to what they can accomplish on the field in 2025-26.
Then in front of the signal caller is arguably the best offensive line in the NCAA headlined by Dawkins, Shelton, Anthony Donkoh, Nolan Rucci, and Ioane. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein and the rest of the Nittany Lions staff knows it too.
The only thing left? Penn State's yearn to do it — that, for sure, is not missing.
The Nittany Lions just missed the championship game last season, and Franklin knows the time has come to move further and further in the postseason. Though his job isn't on the line, the future of the program needs a little extra push beyond what its already accomplished this season to keep Penn State as a legit contender for seasons down the line.
Franklin knows it, his staff knows it, and his players know it. And they're ready to get it done.