Which Penn State legend would be the best addition to the 2024 Nittany Lions offense?

After 11 long years, EA Sports is reviving the greatest video game of all time with College Football 25. Not only will the game include real rosters of the current teams, but it will also feature legends in the “Ultimate Team” game mode. So, if Penn State were trying to construct its 2024 “ultimate team” and could add one legend to the offense, which former Nittany Lion would give the team the best chance of winning the College Football Playoff?

Missing out on the video game version of the 2016 Penn State Nittany Lions feels like a crime. Trace McSorley, Chris Godwin, Mike Gesicki, and, of course, Saquon Barkley. There may not have been a more fun video game player in the history of college football than Saquon Barkley, so getting a chance to use him as a legend in this game will be a dream come true. 

However, the 2024 Nittany Lions have the Lawn Boyz. While Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton aren’t quite Saquon, they are one of the best running back duos in the country and could be Penn State’s strongest position group. Adding Saquon, sadly, wouldn’t raise the ceiling of this year’s team enough to justify the pick in this hypothetical world. 

Drew Allar will need to prove himself at quarterback this season, but, unless you want to argue for Kerry Collins, there may not be a big enough upgrade to truly change the outcome of the team. Part of the reason for that is the cast of wide receivers that Collins would have to throw to. 

Allar didn’t live up to his potential in 2023, but adding one of the best pass-catchers in Penn State history could turn the former five-star into a Heisman Trophy candidate. So, here are the best legends that James Franklin could add to increase his chances of winning a national championship. 

The options: 

• Allen Robinson
• Chris Godwin
• Mike Gesicki
• Kenny Jackson
• Bobby Engram

Tyler Warren is locked in as Penn State’s top tight end this season and if his performance in the Peach Bowl was a sign of things to come, he could end his career on Gesicki’s level. Instead, the Nittany Lions and Andy Kotelnicki need an outside wide receiver who can create explosive plays for Allar and apologies to Godwin, Jackson, and Robinson, Bobby Engram has to be the pick. 

In 1994, on Penn State’s historically great offense, Engram only needed 52 catches to amass 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 19.8 yards per reception that year and for his four-year career from 1991-95, his average catch went for 18.1 yards and he finished with 32 total touchdowns. 

Engram was a true field stretcher, which is exactly what Penn State needs, and the 1994 Biletnikoff Award winner would be the best legend that Penn State could add to its 2024 offense.