Potential passing attack plagues can derail Penn State's overall season

The Nittany Lions have versatility in the passing game with wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. However these two things, according to Zach Seyko, can limit the attack and, as a result, Penn State's 2025 season.
Penn State football wide receiver Devonte Ross during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium
Penn State football wide receiver Devonte Ross during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Penn State football's passing attack was of discussion on Zach Seyko's "Locked On Nittany Lions" podcast and, specifically, what could hinder its progress in 2025.

In 2024, the wide receiver room struggled and quarterback Drew Allar didn't have much to work with. Head coach James Franklin made the necessary adjustments, adding wideouts Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson from the Transfer Portal. At the tight end position, losing Tyler Warren was huge. Luke Reynolds won't fill those shoes, but that doesn't mean he won't be an asset to the Nittany Lions' offense.

Zach Seyko says for the passing attack "to avoid being the Achilles heel," it has to have offensive chemistry and limit injuries

Seyko acknowledged that losing Warren is a huge deal for Penn State. However, it's not impossible to overcome this offensive loss with the amount of returners and experience that side of the ball has.

"A better version of [Reynolds], a better version of Khalil Dinkins, [and] a better version of Andrew Rappleyea. That's three tight ends," Seyko said in addition to the running back room's pass catcher abilities in Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Quinton Martin, and Corey Smith. ". . . Penn State has over a half dozen options."

Quantity and versatility is one thing between the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. In-game chemistry is another.

"The chemistry that Penn State needs to build with not one, not two, not three, but four new starting pass catchers . . . That takes time, that takes repetition," Seyko said. ". . . Allar had three years to work with [Warren] to get . . . synchronized, to build that rapport."

Between fall camp and a light three weeks to open the season with a full non-conference slate, Seyko believes continuing to throw the ball is what the Nittany Lions need to enhance that in-game chemistry "with little to no consequence." As soon as Week 5 against Oregon hits, there's no room for untimely mishaps, like game-ending interceptions. Allar and his offense need to be smart and clean from that point on.

While Penn State can't control this directly, the wide receiver room can't get plagued with injuries. That, specifically, is what Seyko believes could be the Achilles heel of the Nittany Lions' season.

"If they're not healthy, what do you have in Tyseer Denmark?" Seyko said. ". . . This group needs to stay healthy or you just need somebody else to step up. Is that [Denmark]? Is that Peter Gonzalez? Is that Koby Howard?"

Penn State has all the pieces. Now it's about putting them all together and making sure they stay 100 percent all the way through the postseason.