Penn State Update | Penn State Football Daily Briefing

Penn State is on the bye week but there are no bye weeks for the Blue-White Breakdown podcast. PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders discuss what they've seen from Penn State after three games, and what they've learned about James Franklin's Lions. Plus, Max and Bob share some of their observations of first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and discuss the importance of wideout Devonte Ross and linebackers Tony Rojas and Amare Campbell moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State is 2-0, but the offense has left a lot to be desired thus far, especially QB Drew Allar and RB Nick Singleton. Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their picks for the Villanova game and call on a few key players to watch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday press conference ahead of No. 2 Penn State's non-conference matchup with Villanova on Saturday afternoon. Franklin discussed quarterback Drew Allar's performance and went into detail on why the Nittany Lions' offense struggled to convert third downs. Plus, Max and Bob share their thoughts on why star running back Nick Singleton has gotten off to a slow start in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal made their picks for Penn State's Week 2 matchup. They also analyzed a trio of trending names on the roster (two up, one down). As a bonus, Johnny made an Eagles-Cowboys pick as he embarks on his first season of coverage of the reigning Super Bowl champs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders share their takeaways from James Franklin's Monday press conference with No. 2 Penn State prepping for Saturday's home game with Florida International. Franklin was encouraged by the play of his defensive line backups and also praised backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and reserve running back Cam Wallace. Franklin also said a veteran defensive lineman is close to returning. Plus, Franklin is excited about the potential of PSU kicking specialist Gabe Nwosu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many points will Penn State beat underdog Nevada by? Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal went live on the Blue-White Breakdown to make their picks. Plus, James Franklin named his backup quarterback for Week 1. The guys break down who won the job and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday press conference previewing the Lions' season opener vs. underdog Nevada on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Redshirt freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter is expected to be the starting safety opposite veteran Zakee Wheatley. Franklin said the Lions will play four safeties, but Belgrave-Shorter's emergence in a short time is worth noting. Plus, cornerback Daryus Dixson and edge rusher Chaz Coleman are the true freshmen who have been given "green lights" for the season. Expect to see plenty of them on Saturday. Bob explains why Coleman's work on the practice field is the biggest storyline of PSU's preseason practice sessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their official picks — with detailed explanations — for Penn State's 2025 season. Will the Nittany Lions actually win it all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders are back with some thoughts on Penn State's offseason with preseason practices winding down. Max and Bob look at several offseason storylines that could impact Penn State's regular season and beyond. Are some of the storylines flying under the radar with the Nittany Lions opener approaching fast? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss a handful of Penn State true freshmen who have impressed James Franklin and might be key players for the Nittany Lions in 2025. They also answered a myriad of questions from the chat, including a breakdown of the preseason AP top 25. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss what has occurred recently in the Penn State football world.Johnny and Bob go deep on the cross-country journey of Vega Ioane, who grew up high school football in the state of Washington. How did PSU land Ioane, who is one of the top guards in the country?Plus, Johnny and Bob share thoughts on Stan Drayton's impact on Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and PSU's young backs, and the Big Ten teams who are truly top 25 worth in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Bob Flounders recaps a busy week for James Franklin's Penn State program. The Nittany Lions, preseason favorites to win the Big Ten, are halfway through preseason practices. Franklin provided a team health update on Thursday. New running backs coach Stan Drayton believes returning 1,000-yard rushers Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have significant room to grow, and he has focused on eliminating their "weaknesses". What are they? Finally, Bob explains why true freshman corner Daryus Dixson is poised to be an impact performer in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down Johnny's preseason Associated Press top 25 ballot, which has Penn State ranked No. 1. Are the Nittany Lions deserving of the top spot?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders look back at Penn State's Media Day sessions on Saturday and have a few takeaways. Plus, Max discusses what stood out to him at Saturday's PSU practice, and Bob and Max share thoughts on the backup QB competition and the Lions who made Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down the five biggest questions facing Penn State as the Nittany Lions start fall camp. Less than a month away from the start of the 2025 season, who will step up for Drew Allar? And who will back up the star quarterback? That and much more are discussed on this episode of the Blue-White Breakdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Bob Flounders hopped on the latest Blue-White Breakdown to discuss a ton of news and notes from Las Vegas last week. Flounders was in attendance, as James Franklin, Drew Allar, Zakee Wheatley and Nick Dawkins discussed big-time expectations for this year's roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders react to some of the preseason Big Ten polls on this episode. Penn State is ranked No. 1 in preseason for the first time in the Cleveland.com poll, and James Franklin is the preseason choice for coach of the year.  Plus, a few PSU standouts receive recognition on the offensive and defensive side.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss which Penn State players are underrated after the release of EA Sports College Football 26. Also, Max's takeaways from talking to Penn State strength coach Chuck Losey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss McGonigal's one-on-one interview with Penn State QB Drew Allar and the three-part series of stories that followed. Allar broke down the CFP loss to Notre Dame, his NFL draft decision and the Nittany Lions' push for a national title. Ralph and McGonigal also discussed Gavin McKenna's commitment to Penn State men's hockey and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down Penn State's newest additions to its 2026 recruiting class. They also discuss a few under-the-radar Nittany Lions who could break out in next month's preseason camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal discuss how many Penn State players will end up as All-American picks, EA College Football 26 player ratings and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph recap a couple key commitments, one major decommitment and what's next for Penn State's 2026 recruiting class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's going to be a big year for Nick Singleton in 2025, acting as one of the faces of a Penn State team wrapped up in national championship expectations and potential preseason No. 1 recognition. But it's been a big offseason, too, as Singleton's face has quite literally been plastered everywhere ahead of the release of EA's College Football 26, which comes out on July 10. He (and James Franklin) appear on the cover of the deluxe edition of the video game. So ahead of the game's release and Singleton's long-anticipated senior season, PennLive caught up with the superstar running back to chat about the game, why he came back to Penn State and his goals for 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Bob Flounders dove into Penn State's latest commitment, a four-star tight end. They also hit on Yanic Konan Niederhauser's NBA Draft moment and some 2025 football scheduling thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders discuss five-star defensive back Joey O'Brien's verbal commitment to Notre Dame. O'Brien, a La Salle College standout, was one of a few key "gets" by the Fighting Irish program last week. Max and Bob also reveal a couple of Penn State players they are eager to see in the fall. Plus, Max and Bob each bring up a Nittany Lion who could be a pleasant surprise in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State's recruiting has taken a turn for the worse with some top targets looking elsewhere. Max Ralph and Bob Flounders also dive into some early season schedule notes for Penn State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders review how Penn State's big recruiting weekend played out. James Franklin and his staff have their sights set on a number of top prospects, notably Maryland offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho. Who else was up in State College? Plus, Max and Bob discuss the ramifications of edge rusher Max Granville's injury and what it means for veteran Zuriah Fisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State's offensive line believes it can be the best in college football and win the Joe Moore Award. PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down why that's possible. Plus, a recruiting update ahead of another official visit weekend.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down the massive news of the weekend: the House v. NCAA settlement. What does it mean for college sports? And how will it affect Penn State? Also, a recruiting update after the Nittany Lions secured another 2026 commit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nittany Lions lost a key contributor on their defense for the 2025 season, and Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dove into what it means for Penn State. They also chatted about transfer additions Trebor Pena and Amare Campbell, who have received high praise from coaches thus far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss Dan Connor's journey back to Penn State as a defensive coach. Connor, PSU's all-time leading tackler as a linebacker, is now back in State College coaching the position for James Franklin.  Oregon playing PSU in a prime-time White Out game? Bob argues it could have been worse. The Ducks, a West Coast team, could have been forced to play the game at noon, which would have essentially been a 9 a.m. kickoff for them. Plus, Johnny and Bob look at two PSU greats who are deserving of spots in the College Football Hall of Fame — Courtney Brown and Ki-Jana Carter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nittany Lions will take on Oregon on Sept. 27 in a night game. Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal tackle what it means and why it's a win on many levels, plus some in-depth recruiting talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders take a look at the revised college football playoff structure for 2025 on this episode. It will be a straight seeding model to get to the 12 qualifiers. Johnny and Bob also highlight some second-year Lions who are poised to make a major impact. Johnny also makes a bold prediction involving one of Penn State's second-year players. Plus, Johnny discusses some Penn State positional needs with regard to the Lions' already impressive 2026 recruiting class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dug in on Penn State's latest roster additions, which included noteworthy transfers Trebor Pena and Amare Campbell. They also discussed DE Daniel Jennings' reclassification to 2025 and the future of 2026 recruiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss some predictions involving James Franklin's 2025 Penn State Nittany Lions. Will the Nittany Lions have a 1,000-yard wideout, given the additions the team made at the position? Will PSU beat Ohio State? And here is an interesting one: Will either Kaytron Allen or Nick Singleton pass Evan Royster and become Penn State's all-time leading rusher? Could both runners do it? Plus, Johnny and Bob look at the initial point spread for Penn State's season opener vs. Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal recap what's been a strong 2026 recruiting cycle for Penn State thus far and preview just how good it could be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss where James Franklin's Penn State program fits in post-spring top 25 rankings. Johnny has the Nittany Lions ranked No. 1 coming out of spring, with Ohio State and Tennessee right behind them.   Johnny and Bob look at why PSU should be ranked No. 1, and also look at some position groups that could be potential problem areas heading into August practice sessions.   Plus, a look at some potentially tricky games on Penn State's 2025 schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After adding North Carolina linebacker Amare Campbell this week, Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dig into Penn State's defensive depth chart projection for 2025. Plus, are the Nittany Lions the nation's top team? The guys give their take near the end of the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State has been busy on the recruiting trail and PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders discuss what the Nittany Lions are getting in linebackers Terry Wiggins and Mathieu Lamah.   Max also recaps his recent visit to the western part of the state to visit with Penn State verbal Kemon Spell, a five-star running back at McKeesport.   Plus, Max and Bob take a look at a couple of young Penn State players who could be playmakers for the Lions in the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders examine all of the possibilities when it comes to Penn State's projected 2025 offensive depth chart.   Who will back up Drew Allar? Who is the No. 3 running back? How will Penn State's three transfer wideouts fit in Andy Kotelnicki's offense?   Plus, Johnny and Bob look at some reserve players who have bright futures with a focus on the running back and offensive line depth charts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders share their thoughts on what transpired in Saturday's Penn State Blue-White game at windy Beaver Stadium.   Johnny and Bob analyze what they saw from transfer wideouts Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson and also discuss James Franklin's post-scrimmage comments on reserve quarterback Jaxon Smolik and Penn State's linebacker depth.   Plus, Johnny and Bob take a closer look at what the recent addition of another transfer wideout, Trebor Pena, could mean for Penn State's offense in the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal had a lot to get to Thursday, talking all things Blue-White Game, NFL Draft and red-hot Penn State recruiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Nick Farabaugh go back and forth on a 2025 NFL mock draft before the first round kicks off on Thursday night. Where will Penn State stars Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren land? And what will the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles do? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders preview Penn State's 2025 NFL draft class led by All-Americans Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren. Both are expected to go in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Johnny and Bob also discuss some PSU spring storylines that have emerged ahead of the Blue-White game on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal sat down for their weekly live session to break down one of the biggest question marks for Penn State this offseason, which was just hurt by a transfer entry. Plus, some more wrapping up from spring practice and an ode to a college football legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss the impact of veteran offensive lineman JB Nelson leaving Penn State's program on this episode. Nelson, a veteran who can play guard or tackle, was a contender to start in the fall. His departure likely creates a huge opportunity for second-year interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins to step in at one of the guard spots. Johnny and Bob also discuss what could happen when the transfer portal opens this week. Plus, PSU adds Pennsylvania prep quarterback Peyton Falzone to its 2026 recruiting class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal discuss all things running back, quarterback and offensive line through Penn State spring practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Flounders is joined by PennLive's Evan Wheaton to discuss a pair of talented Penn State 2026 verbal commitments – Kevin Brown and Messiah Mickens. The Harrisburg High School stars are two of the top football talents in the nation. The 6-5, 270-pound Brown is a standout offensive tackle prospect and the 5-10, 200-pound Mickens is an elite running back. Wheaton provides insight into what makes both prospects special and what it has been like covering Brown and Mickens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dug into their takeaways from Penn State's second media viewing session of spring practice, including a big one: Will the Nittany Lions look to add a wide receiver soon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders break down some good news on the Penn State recruiting front on this episode. Max and Bob offer updates on a pair of running back targets, Harrisburg's Messiah Mickens and McKeesport's Kemon Spell. Penn State also got a commitment from talented 2027 wideout Khalil Taylor from Seton-LaSalle. Over the weekend, Penn State also provided a Blue-White game update with regards to seating at Beaver Stadium. Plus, Max and Bob share their thoughts on how Penn State's Pro Day played out for a few ex-Lions on Friday inside Holuba Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Flounders and Max Ralph wrap up the Penn State Pro Day Friday in State College. Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren sat it out but several Nittany Lions did participate including safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed, linebacker Kobe King, cornerback Jalen Kimber and defensive linemen Jvon J-Thomas, Coziah Izzard and Amin Vanover, wide receiver Julian Fleming and offensive lineman Sal Wormley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices