Happy Valley Happenings: Exclusive interviews, CFB and NFL rookies, and football uncertainty

Sophia Gladieux's journey with mental health to Team USA

Former Penn State field hockey's Sophia "Phia" Gladieux struggled with anxiety since she was 11, playing at a junior national camp with some of the best 17-year-olds in the country. Up until college, she struggled with a constant, anxious cycle that she didn't know how to handle.

Phia became a role model for younger players who had similar experiences, and she never let her anxiety get in the way of her long-term goals. Once coming to Penn State, she eventually felt confident that Team USA was in her future — and she was right.

“I had to do things at my own pace, and so I decided to step back from any USA things, I think freshman year of high school, maybe sophomore year,” Phia told Victory Bell Rings. "It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I was able to focus on . . . enjoy[ing] the sport and not feel constant anxiety all the time, because I was just slowly becoming so burnt out . . . Toward the end of college, I felt I always knew I wanted to be on the national team. So I knew that would eventually happen if I continued to grow. And then eventually the stars kind of aligned."

Penn State football's Dejuan Lane and Kenneth Woseley Jr. charged with possession of drug paraphernalia

Safety Dejuan Lane and cornerback Kenneth Woseley Jr. were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct on Friday night after a police search of their on-campus apartment in late July. Woseley Jr. received an additional citation for purchasing alcohol by a minor.

The two Penn State football players have their preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The Nittany Lions' season opener is slated for Saturday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. against Nevada.

Chaz Coleman is the freshman defenseman to watch

Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles calls Chaz Coleman "The Chazmanian Devil," and his fellow freshmen, veteran teammates, and coaching staff know there's a bright future likely following in the steps of Abdul Carter.

"[Coleman] loves the game," defensive tackle Zane Durant said on Tuesday. "He plays fast, he's violent. He's got a bright future ahead of him. He asks a lot questions and goes out of his way to study the playbook as much as he can because that's a weak area for young guys. He takes that seriously."

Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter's NFL Preseason performances left fans wanting more

Tyler Warren and Carter played their second NFL Preseason games on Saturday, Aug. 16, but their performances left fans wanting more for different reasons.

The former Nittany Lion tight end had a pass from Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones sail right over his head nearly halfway through the first quarter. At the end of the quarter, Warren secured a 25-yard reception along the sideline, which in the regular season, would've ended with the starting safety pummeling him into the ground and out of bounds. Fans took to X to complain about the lack of talent the rookie has to work with on offense and that he won't be able to reach his full potential as a Colt.

As for Carter, though, the rookie defenseman had what commentators and fans alike called a "Welcome to the NFL" moment.

While that rep overshadowed his other quick pressures against the Jets, he said in a postgame interview to reporters that stuff like that happens and getting the win was his only concern.

CBS Sports: James Franklin earns Preseason Coach of the Year and Singleton, Ioane, Durant, and Dawkins earn spots on Preseason All-America Teams

Head coach James Franklin was named CBS Sports' Preseason Coach of the Year one season after Ohio State's Ryan Day earned the honor. He's deemed as college football's most important (and interesting) coach ahead of the 2025 season as he and the Nittany Lions face a defining year that starts in less than two weeks.

CBS Sports also unveiled its Preseason All-America First- and Second-Teams, which included Nicholas Singleton, Vega Ioane, Zane Durant, and Nick Dawkins. Singleton, Ioane, and Durant earned spots on the first-team while Dawkins secured a second-team honor.

Drew Allar wins some and loses some with latest rankings and honors

Quarterback Drew Allar was selected to the 2025 Manning Award Preseason Watch List and was one of two Big Ten passers to earn a spot on the 27-player list (alongside Illinois' Luke Altmyer).

However, his Heisman odds took a three-spot drop simultaneously. Alabama's Ty Simpson and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers took over Allar and he is now tied with Miami's Carson Beck with a +1800 chance to win the trophy. Doubt about Penn State actually getting the job done and beating those top ranked teams won't stop clouding the public's vision until the Nittany Lions have the wins to back themselves up. Then maybe Allar's odds will rise.