The start of August has brought Penn State football training camp updates, new revelations in Micah Parsons' contract dispute, new preseason polls releasing, and a look into a certain men's hockey commit's decision to land in Hockey Valley.
Here's everything you missed.
Micah Parsons parts ways with Dallas Cowboys, submits trade request
Former Penn State defender Parsons dealt with a sticky contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys. The team stopped communicating with Parsons' agent and refused to go forward with anymore negotiations, claiming that an unofficial contract conversation the former Nittany Lion had with owner Jerry Jones was the basis around the contract extension.
In the midst of Dallas' silence and upon hearing news that their conversation was being used as the foundation for the deal, Parsons pulled the trigger and submitted a trade request.
He said in a statement posted to social media, "I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys."
Preseason Coaches Poll and Brett McMurphy Preseason AP Poll say Penn State's a top three team
The college football season is almost here, and Penn State is still ranking at the top of preseason polls. The CFB Preseason Coaches Poll listed the Nittany Lions No. 3 behind Texas and Ohio State. Brett McMurphy revealed his Preseason CFB AP Poll, which put Penn State second behind Georgia and — shockingly — not the Longhorns.
The decision to put Penn State above or below Ohio State is so close, but McMurphy put the Buckeyes sixth behind three SEC schools and one ACC school. Texas below both the Nittany Lions and Bulldogs is also a reach given the likelihood of it landing first or second by the end of the season.
Gavin McKenna opens up about Penn State commitment decision
Penn State men's hockey's biggest commitment to date, Gavin McKenna, talked about his reasons for choosing the Nittany Lions over Michigan State.
I think Penn State, the biggest reason I [committed] there was because [of] seeing what they did last year to go to the Frozen Four, being a newer type of school up-and-coming, it's exciting being a part of that," McKenna said.
He continued, saying he wants to be a part of a championship-winning team, and that he believes Penn State has the players, staff, and resources to do so in 2026.
James Franklin has belief in his wide receiver and tight end rooms
In an open Saturday practice, head coach James Franklin, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and various players were available. Franklin approved of the depth Penn State now has in its wide receiver room with transfers Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson.
In addition, he made sure to note that there's one Nittany Lion flying under the radar that shouldn't be: Khalil Dinkins.
"Every time we threw the ball to him, it was a touchdown," Franklin said. "Might be being dramatic there, but he caught a lot of touchdowns.”
Franklin and center Nick Dawkins made it clear that not enough people are talking about Dinkins. While the question of what Penn State's going to do without Tyler Warren is in the air, no one seems to be talking about the talent that was right behind him in 2024.
"Great blocking guy . . . the way he moves defensive ends and outside linebackers off the ball . . . it's pretty impressive," Dawkins said. ". . . it's just an extension to the offensive line and in order to get on the field as a tight end, you need to be able to block . . . They need to talk about [Dinkins] more."
Jim Knowles is impressed with Durant, Campbell, and Rojas
Knowles also acknowledged some Nittany Lions standing out early in training camp. Zane Durant, Amare Campbell, and Tony Rojas came to mind.
He praised Durant's ability to put his head down and immediately cause good defensive production, something Knowles said changes how he plans defense. The former Ohio State DC also said that Campbell is another player that has that instant, innate ability to perform, which is particularly impressive at linebacker.
"There's a skill to playing linebacker that a lot of it is innate, instinctual, and we're at LBU, so had a lot of great ones here," Knowles said. ". . . when you look at the past and how they made plays . . . a lot of it's through natural instinct — through things that you can't teach."
Knowles also said that Rojas, who he didn't get to see in the spring, impressed him early on in camp.
Very impressed. He seems to have developed physically in the offseason and not only that, but he's picked things up quickly, which is tough when you don't get the reps on the field," Knowles said. ". . . I've seen his knowledge of the defense [and it] has been impressive; and he's able to perform within the scheme and utilize his talents in a way that he kind of jumped out."